Sweet deal as chef acquires the Harrogate Cake Company

PATISSERIE chef Charlotte Marrifield has sign a deal to acquire the Harrogate Cake Company from director Heather Cawthorne.

She is moving the company into new 3,000 sq ft bakery premises to continue the firm’s expansion.

Ms Marrifield has created dessert ranges for manufacturers Gü and Lily O’Brien’s, as well as Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal, and received funding support from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

She trained under Stephen Markwick, and moved to Harrogate five years ago.

Ms Marrifield has 18 years of cake-making under her belt, and successfully ran the Sugar Therapy patisserie in Harrogate, and is supplying Booths with her range of cakes.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted to acquire the Harrogate Cake Company as it brings an incredibly strong brand into our business.

“The products are very high quality and we will continue to follow the original 50-year-old recipes, as well as applying the same meticulous skill and care we are known for. I am very hands on in the business and have a small dedicated team of chefs and bakers, who share my passion for quality.”

The Harrogate Cake Company will trade under its current name, but the company will become part of her Sugar Therapy brand.

Jon Haw, relationship manager from Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Charlotte has an impressive track record of success and is very highly regarded within her industry.

“We are delighted to support this acquisition which is a perfect fit for Charlotte and her team. She will undoubtedly continue the success of this well known Yorkshire brand bringing her own personal touch as the production relocates to her bakery in Thirsk.”