A Cake Fit for a Wild Card

Back when I was working at Hobbs House Bakery, I had the pleasure of making a rather unusual cake for Keith Allen - yes, the actor, musician, and all round wild card, best known these day's as Lily Allen’s dad. He was hosting a street party with his wife, and they wanted something special to mark the occasion. Naturally, it had to be something a little quirky, a little unexpected - something that would stand out just like Keith 

Enter Keith Allen - Gold Tooth and All

When Keith walked into the bakery, I clocked him straight away. His gold tooth gleamed when he smiled, adding to his roguish charm. I'd seen all his films - edgy, dramatic, full of chaos - and I was a huge fan. There’s just something undeniably magnetic about a rebellious streak, and Keith had it in spades. He sauntered in and announced he wanted to order a cake. I tried to play it cool, but inside I was like,"Oh my goodness, it's Keith Allen!' Starstruck doesn't even cover it.

An Allotment.....But Make it Cake

Then came the order. An allotment cake. In my head, alarms were going off - " An allotment? In cake form?! What on earth How the hell will I do that?! But I reminded myself of my golden rule: with enough notice, anything is possible. As long as I have time to plan, I can make anything happen. But at that moment, I was still in full blown fluster mode. My brain was spinning as I tried to focus on the details. Trying to act professional, I asked, " Can I take a name for the order?"

He stared at me. Dead in the eyes. Like I had personally offended him. Then, with absolute incredulity. he bellowed, "Are you f****** kidding me? I'm Lily's Allen's Dad!" Before turning on his heel and marching out of the shop, it wasn't quite a storm - off , but it had all the flair of a theatrical exit - leaving me standing there, equal parts mortified and amused.

Right. Of course. Silly me for not instantly registering him as rockstar royalty.

A Masterpiece in Marzipan

Now, this wasn't just any garden-themed cake with a few fondant carrots and a scattering of green buttercream. Oh no. This was a full-on edible vegetable patch, complete with tiny handcrafted marzipan cabbages, sugar paste leeks, and a rich chocolate 'soil' made from crumbled cake and biscuit. It was rustic, charming, and completely over the top - a cake with personality, just like its recipient. 

I spent hours shaping the vegetables, making sure each one looked as realistic as possible. The carrots had delicate ridges, the lettuce leaves were perfectly ruffled, and the whole thing had that " organically messy " vibe that real allotments have. It was the kind of fiddly, detailed work that I secretly love.

The Big Reveal

When the cake was finally finished and ready for delivery, that familiar wave hit me. Would they like it ? Had I managed to turn a vegetable patch into a showstopper? Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Keith and his wife were absolutely thrilled. He was as animated and mischievous as you'd expect, Full of praise and laughter. When he saw the tiny Marzipan vegetables, he let out a delighted cackle - like a kid who had just discovered a hidden treasure.

A Cake to Remember 

Keith Allen wasn't the only ‘face’ I baked for over the years. from Hollywood legends to rockstars with a sweet tooth. I've had my fair share of surreal baking encounters. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories - you never know who might have had a slice of my cakes!

That cake is still one of my favourites - a perfect mix of humour, artistry, and a little bit of chaos. Just like Keith Allen himself