The English Cake Company, one of Colombo’s best-loved
small bakeries, is hosting a mini-Christmas market on 23 and 24 December, both in honour of the season, and in support of small businesses and creators.
A small business itself, launched at the Good Market in Battaramulla in 2012, The English Cake Company – led by Founder Yohan Galapitage with his wife Allie, who is the creator behind their famous cakes – hold working with small businesses very close to its heart. Since its inception, The English Cake Company has worked with small businesses, sourcing items and ingredients from small local businesses that produce all-natural products. The English Cake Company also always tries to be environmentally friendly, and has completely stopped using plastics in their packaging, focusing instead on recyclable materials.
In this spirit of community and growth, The English Cake Company is hosting a pop-up market this Christmas season to give small businesses they know and work with a chance to connect with customers in an already uncertain time.
The Morning Brunch spoke to Founder Yohan Galpitage, who shared that this was not the first time The English Cake Company has hosted this pop-up market, having done so last year as well, with a small selection of vendors showcasing their wares in the outdoor courtyard at the The English Cake Company’s premises in Colombo 5.
“It’s an opportunity for our vendors, because The English Cake Company gets a lot of walk-in customers during the Christmas season,” Galapitage said. This year’s Mini Christmas Market features a small selection of vendors, including Italian gelato company Love Gelato, Shop Slow-Thrift Store with a selection of discounted clothes and footwear, art by independent artist Aruni Wijegunawardena, kochchi spreads and Christmas sweeties by Foodthopia, as well as a selection of handmade chocolates.”
Galapitage also shared that firework brand Alidon might be selling sparklers and a small selection of fireworks at the market, but that this was as yet unconfirmed.
The English Cake Company will also be selling their usual range of baked goods, as well as their signature Christmas items based on traditional recipes, including Christmas puddings, Christmas cake, mince pies, shaped ginger biscuits, Breudher, and their famous “croquembouche”, a tower of profiteroles. All these and more will be available for sampling and purchase.
“We are taking all health and safety precautions and encouraging one-metre distancing at the Mini Christmas Market,” Galpitage said, adding: “We want to encourage our customers to come and spend, and support small vendors. Many of these vendors are usually part of larger markets at Christmas time, which are not happening this year.”
Galpitage, also spoke on the mid-pandemic Christmas season from The English Cake Company’s perspective, sharing that The English Cake Company is approaching this season with the same enthusiasm they always have for Christmas, and that so far this season has been busier than normal. Galapitage attributed this to the fact that many of his customers haven’t left the country this Christmas season and are celebrating at home, and placing orders early in case there are curfews implemented closer to Christmas.
