Why GBBO Fans Should Know About The Pantry Bar
Do you ever dream of being on "The Great British Bake Off?" Do you relish cocktails just as much as you enjoy baked goods? Well, luckily for you, dreams really do come true — at least when you book an experience at The Big Bakes, a U.K.-based company that offers baking competitions for you and a team of your friends, family, coworkers, or whomever you think has the baking chops to help you win (via The Big Bakes' website).
Here's how it works: Contestants book one of the 12 baking counters where they are given 90 minutes to whip up a fantastic, impressive rendition of a classic baked good or cake recipe – there's a head baker on hand to help prevent any baking disasters — and then have it judged to find out which of the 12 stations is the winner. What's more, The Big Bakes' newest location in East London has a speakeasy-type bar hidden behind a refrigerator where you can enjoy cake-inspired cocktails (via Food + Wine) ... yes, please!
Enjoy cocktails inspired by favorite British baked goods
The new venue, The Big London Bake East, is conveniently located across from Haggerston Station, and while this third location joins The Big London Bake South and The Big Birmingham Bake where baking competitions are also run, it is the only The Big Bake site with a bar. The Pantry Bar is open to the public, regardless if you'll be participating in a baking challenge (However, reservations for the bar are still recommended). Menu options at The Pantry Bar will include drinks influenced by Britain's classic bakes, including Pick 'n' Mix Punch, the BakewellTini, and a Lemon Meringue Pie cocktail (via London Post).
The Pantry Bar features both an indoor space decorated on theme with lamps fashioned like candy jars and hanging lights resembling whisks, as well as an outdoor terrace and lawn to enjoy in the warmer weather (via London Post). "The joy of baking is at the heart of The Big Bakes experience, so this is what inspired the sprinkling of playful, cake-inspired design elements (and immersive fridge door entrance!) that you experience at The Pantry Bar and across The Big London Bake East venue," said co-founder of The Big Bakes Adam Chaudhri of the creative atmosphere at The Pantry Bar (via Food + Wine).
Fans are looking forward to Spring cakes and cocktails
If competing in a "GBBO" style baking challenge and then enjoying a cake-themed cocktail has you giddy with excitement and you're already looking to book for April or May, you're in for a special treat: Participants at The Big Bakes will be creating a 'Spring Surprise Cake.' The piñata cake recipe will feature themes like the Easter Bunny diving into the cake in search of mini eggs, dogs looking for candy bones, and hedgehogs on the hunt for gummy worms inside the cake, according to an Instagram post from the company.
When the news of the third The Big Bakes location near Haggerston Station was announced, The Big Bakes took to Instagram with a mockup drawing of what The Pantry Bar would look like once visitors passed through the pretend refrigerator and into the bar, situated beneath a remodeled railway arch. Fans took to the comments with clapping, fire, and heart-eyed emojis with one user writing, "Looks fab classy," while another tagged a friend, pleading, "Pleaseeeeee can we go once it's open xx."
Sounds like a recipe for cake-inspired cocktail bliss. All that's missing is some feedback from Paul Hollywood.