Ceri Newton
In 2007, she opened the tiny gourmet haven with the support – and hard physical labour – of husband Andrew. The shop has gone from strength to strength, building up a loyal band of customers.
Ceri bakes the cakes on the premises, using local free range eggs.
She also makes sandwiches, using bread delivered daily from a small independent bakery in Wallasey. All meats are baked on the premises and the soups and coleslaw are homemade.
“It’s a little cottage industry,” she laughs. “I’m up at 5am every day to start baking. Cakes are my biggest passion.
“Someone once gave me a great tip – never make cakes you wouldn’t want to eat, because you can’t put enough love into them. I don’t like fruit cake really, so I get someone else to do them, someone who really loves them.”
Ceri’s afternoon teas hark back to the tea gardens of the early 18th century, the first Lyons tea houses and savouring the blissful ceremony of it all – right down to the china cup and saucer and tinkle of the stirring spoons.
“We serve everything very traditionally,” says Ceri. “There are tiny finger sandwiches, open sandwiches, crumpets, cakes, scones with jam and cream, and of course, tea. It’s everything I love, all on a pretty silver stand.”
AFTERNOON tea is £10 at the Edwardian tea rooms and £8.50 in Gorge Us. Find out more on 0151 644 8133, email ceri@gorge-us.co.uk or visit www.gorge-us.co.uk