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Recipes from my Lincolnshire kitchen

Cakes for Gunby Hall

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i’ve been baking cakes all day… Belleau Kitchen is like a little old-fashioned work-house…

… Gunby Hall is a Grade 1 listed, 18th Century country house near Spilsby in Lincolnshire… it’s one of those magical country houses where you could imagine seeing a character from a Bronte novel swishing along the manicured lawns or disappearing behind a topiary hedge, fluttering a lace fan and giggling softly… it was once the seat of Sir William Massingberd and more recently the home of Jack and Betty, the dear sweet old couple who now live in our little village after they found it too much to care for such a vast estate.

… the house belongs to the National Trust and a few months ago its tenancy became available once more…

…yesterday The Viking and I met with the new tenants to talk about helping them with their plans to utilise the estate for events such as weddings, concerts and themed parties… it could be a brilliant new venture for The Viking and I, allowing us to use our 14 years knowledge in the event production world whilst combining it with our obvious love for Lincolnshire and its beautiful countryside…

… the great thing about it is that we could get to build a new business from the ground up, designing event packages, photographing brochures, building a website, sourcing local suppliers, all this and working alongside some lovely new friends…

banana loaf with cream cheese icing

… of course I couldn’t help also thinking about the on-site tea room and providing them with some of my cakes, so I took some samples with me, just in case I could tempt them.  I made a banana and walnut loaf, a carrot cake and some rhubarb muffins topped with white chocolate… and this morning I got a text asking me to provide cakes for the next few days…

carrot cake muffins

carrot cake

…i’m pretty knackered now but rather pleased with the results… I’ve added 2 chocolate cakes into the mix as well as some carrot cake muffins, so there’s lots on offer… i’ll let you know how they sell.

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Comments

  1. debby emadian says

    This sounds like a wonderful new venture Dom….but no wonder you're exhausted with all that baking….hope you get a chance to put your feet up today….and have a happy Easter Sunday…
    Debx

  2. Suelle says

    What an intersting development – hope you can work something out! If I were 20 years younger I'd love to bake cakes for a tea room; I don't have enough stamina now.

  4. From Beyond My Kitchen Window says

    Oh wow, wouldn't it be nice to start your own business right in your very own backyard (so to speak).I hope all the cards fall neatly into place for you guys. The baked goods are all gorgeous of course. I will keep my fingers crossed.

  12. Susan Lindquist says

    I am SO crossing my fingers that this thing works out for you guys! Wowzers, what an opportunity ! The cakes look delectible … you must have been exhausted after all that baking! Cakes for the next few days? huzzah! That's a start!

  13. Choclette says

    Hey, wonderful. Sounds like a great opportunity for you both to work on your doorstep. And baking cakes for a living (well part of a living) sounds fantastic. I'd love to do it, just don't have the space in my tiny kitchen. Thought when I first started reading the post, you were going to say you were the new tenants :-0

  14. Rhyleysgranny says

    What a wonderful opportunity Dom. I hope all works out well for you. Cakes look amazing as always. Good excuse to buy a bigger oven 🙂

  16. Corina says

    You have just given me an idea for my dream job – baking cakes all day for the National Trust! Whenever I want a little time to daydream today that's what I'm going to be thinking of.

  17. Dom at Belleau Kitchen says

    thanks all so much for the kind words of encouragement… went to collect my tuppaware yesterday and ALL the cakes had sold, plus they've put in a new order for next weekend… I doubt i'm going to make my fortune this way, but it's enjoyable none the less…

    @ Rebecca, yes, would love to meet and say hi!… you could come over, we're only about 30mins from Boston x

  19. Chele says

    Wow … not so much of an easter break for you then! Well worth it though, well done ;0)
    Let me know if you need a hand … Edinburgh isn't that far from you, right? Lol

  20. Jenn says

    I think that is such exciting news Dom! Congratulations! I'm sure they will adore your cakes and breads…they look fantastic!!

  22. The KitchenMaid says

    That's SO amazing, well done you! (Am so pleased for you I have decided to forgive you for calling my precious hot cross buns a la Nigella “mutant buns”!)

  23. MissCakeBaker says

    What a great opportunity. there is definite lack of good wedding venues in Lincolnshire (I know from my own research). Ashamed to say have never been to Gunby Hall – it looks beautiful.