Everybody loves cake, probably because it’s almost always associated with a happy occasion. Made in various shapes in sizes and flavored in dozens of different ways, cake stands alone as a feel-good dessert to be shared with loved ones. Handmade with care and precision, the cakes can become the centerpiece of any celebration, from birthdays to weddings.
The downtown cafe embraces the birthday cakes tradition, an idea that originated all over Europe in the 17th century. Back then cakes were decadent creations that only members of the upper class could afford, as ingredients such as sugar were incredibly expensive.
Today around the world, the global population eats an estimated 80 million birthday cakes every single day!
Wedding cake traditions followed close behind. Interestingly enough, the first tiered wedding cake was made in 1858 for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter. The Queen’s own wedding cake was a staggering three yards wide and weighed 300 pounds, but it was just one tier. The Monarch was also the first person to use pure white icing on her wedding cake, which is why it’s now known as royal icing.
Owned by England expat Sarah Cook, Café Carmel keeps alive a local tradition that dates back to 1952, when the Wishart family opened a bakery in the now-historic 1920s building on Ocean Avenue between Mission and San Carlos streets.
Anyone interested in a bespoke cake for a birthday, wedding or other special occasions, Café Carmel stands ready to create the perfect celebratory centerpiece.