Promotional entertainment the icing on the royal cake
Promotional entertainment the icing on the royal cake
July 18, 2022
Photo Credits: RTW Together Business Improvement District
The team at CEP was delighted to work with Royal Tunbridge Wells BID again to put the finishing touches on their inaugural Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off. Designed to support the town centre’s hospitality sector while celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off is the concept of the RTW Together Business Improvement District.
Taking place on Saturday 4th June, 11am-3pm, on the Pantiles, members of the public sampled a variety of free ‘royal themed’ cakes, and voted for their favourite in their droves. The team at CEP provided ten promotional staff to serve the tasty cakes to the public dressed in matching cake aprons. In addition, CEP also provided two stilt walking chefs, a glitter artist and a cake-themed face painter to entertain children and provide valuable photo opportunities. As with all of our corporate mid to large scale events, CEP also provided an entertainment manager to ensure the day ran smoothly and the client could focus on enjoying the experience.
Taste Wells were the cream of the crop by only ONE VOTE, narrowly beating rivals The Zero Waste Company, Pantiles, and their Pimms and orange entry. The Cake Shed, Pantiles, came in a close third. Other contestants included Ruby’s of London, Monson Rd, The Plant Base, Camden Rd, Il Vesuvio, Camden Rd, Bubba & Me, Mount Pleasant and the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Pantiles. Three vegan cakes were entered, ensuring there was something for everyone.
The chosen cake was an Elizabeth vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and rose water icing, decorated with edible rose petals and white crown.
Taste Wells founder, Sarah, who entered along with husband Derek and collaborating partner, Chef’s Pantry, says “We’re really, really chuffed, I told the team and they were all really pleased, it’s been amazing. It’s just been great to take part, alongside so many other businesses, it’s just brilliant – hopefully it’ll be something we can do on an annual basis, it’s good for the town, and for independent retailers. We’ll be displaying the trophy in our shop!”
The event also featured live music from vintage jazz band Miss Kiddy and the Cads, as well as compering and music from KMFM. Other attractions included free face painting for children, with donations collected for local food bank charity, Nourish.
BID Director Sarah-Jane Adams was on hand to check who was whipping up the dessert of dreams - “We’re so pleased at the response the Cake Off has had – we were overwhelmed with visitors and despite having such a large quantity, ran out of cake much quicker than anticipated! It was exciting to see so many people of all generations sampling cake from across the town centre and hearing about hospitality names they hadn’t been to before, and for families to enjoy the free face painting and live music – there was a lot of fun with our chefs on stilts! Will there be a Cake Off 2023? Watch this plate!”
The winner was crowned on the bandstand at 3pm, and will receive the Cake Off glass trophy, specially commissioned by the BID with Monson Road creative Glass by Claudia. In partnership with the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Pantiles, the winning business will also receive an overnight stay for two in the honeymoon suite. The victorious cake maker will also feature on the front cover of the July issue of local SO Magazine, as well as the BID’s own town centre publication.
Fellow contestant Geff Stone, of the Plant Base, said before the day “It’s great to be part of the Cake Off! We love these events that bring the town together - we’re proud to be joining our fellow traders and look forward to destroying them in a friendly competition!”
RTW Together has also been producing a ‘cakeumentary’ film in the run up to the competition, created by Camden Road resident Simon Cossons, following the businesses as they prepare for baking battle, and created a souvenir booklet showcasing not just those taking part, but other town centre coffee and cake stops, such as Fine Grind, Momentum, Crumbs and Treacle, Black Dog Café, Kumquat Café, Hotel Chocolat, The Pantiles Café, Hudsons Bistro and Emilio’s Coffee. 1k copies were given away at the Cake Off.
The promotional team also put on a taster event in Royal Victoria Place shopping centre on Friday 3rd June, 11-3pm, promoting the event and giving away free cherry and Maderia cake from Larratt & Co, Chapel Place.
Are you responsible for the events for your Business Improvement District (BID)? Feel free to give us a ring for a complimentary Creative Consultation for entertainment guidance for your events.
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