Lakes Fudge returns with pop up cafe after prices skyrocketed

Founded by Amanda Podmore, Lakes Fudge started out as a hobby but soon amassed a ‘little fan base’.

Amanda Podmore (Image: Amanda Podmore)

Based in picturesque West Cumbria, Amanda perfected her recipe for handmade, artisan fudge over five years.

She said: “I love fudge!  It took five years in order to perfect the base chocolate Lakes Fudge recipe, then more work followed to keep that recipe stable and still able to set, while tweaking ingredients and adding additional ingredients to successfully come up with the range of twenty-one flavours Lakes Fudge now comprises.

“There’s no way it could be classed as low fat!”

The current best sellers are Salted Caramel, Chocolate Orange, Millionaires and Neapolitan.

The ‘gorgeous’ flavours were a hit at local craft fairs, but trade came to an abrupt stop when Covid intervened, closing the markets and stalls.

During the lockdown, Lakes Fudge jumped online, and Amanda was able to continue selling her sweet treats via post.

Then when everything started to open up again, ingredient priced started to skyrocket.

Using only the best ingredients for her Lakes Fudge became very expensive, so Amanda made the decision to take a break while the costs settled.

It wasn’t until earlier this year that Amanda chose to re-establish fudge production.

She said that while prices have stabilised, they are still much higher than before.

As she set out to restore Lakes Fudge to its former glory, Amanda saw an opportunity to indulge her love of baking.

She said: “This is how Lakes Cakes, perhaps now better known as “Cake Escapes” was launched, and the two rubbed along together very nicely at local craft fairs.”

Recently, the local Heritage & Arts Centre in Millom, finished renovating a ‘beautiful’ room for community use, and advertised it as a space to anyone interested.

Amanda approached them with her idea for a pop-up café, selling a range of cakes and bakes, to eat or takeaway, alongside a simple menu of drinks.

She said: “Millom Heritage & Arts Centre embraced this idea and we’ve been going for a few weeks now with great success.”

Every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm you can pop in for a ‘cake escape’ and choose from a selection of bakes and fudge.

Amanda said: “I’m very heartened by the success of this little idea.

“There’s always a lot on offer and we’re delighted that our band of followers is growing larger. Lovely too, that people have another place they can visit, socialise together and feel better.

“It’s very rewarding to see this simple idea taking off and spreading a bit of joy come rain or shine!

“The room is a perfect backdrop, makes for a unique setting, positioned at the train station as it is, and reflecting the towns rich history, with a lovely atmosphere all of its own.”

There is currently a discussion to have the pop-up café open slightly longer, so more people can use the service.

 “Cake Escapes” held their first Afternoon Tea last week, Amanda said the most traditional cakes and bakes are the firm favourites, which she works very hard to try and keep affordable for all.

Follow Lakes Cakes and Fudge on Facebook for updates.