Sugar rush for Banham butcher and baker as Dubai chocolate proves a hit

A butcher and baker have seen their version of a chocolate bar bring them huge success – and the no small matter of a new fridge.

Jonathan Wise, who owns Banham Butchers, and his wife, Claire, who owns Creative Cakes, both sell their goods and other local products from The Appleyard in Kenninghall Road.

But it has been one idea, from Mr Wise’s son and shop manager Harvey, among the award-inning sausages and cheesecakes that has created a new buzz for the business.

“We decided to do loaded cookies and were discussing with everyone what we were going to put on top of them,” said Mrs Wise.

“We held a competition to see who could sell the most, and it was at this point that Harvey said about Dubai chocolate as he had seen it online.

“We tried to get some to try it for ourselves, but it had sold out everywhere, so we came up with the idea of doing our own.”

Dubai chocolate is a bar filled with pistachio cream and knafeh – a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made from shredded filo, soft cheese and syrup – before being decorated with gold leaf.

Having run their butchery business for 11 years and the bakery for five years, the couple have a good eye for what sells, but even they have been surprised at how popular the bars have been, with sell-outs across multiple days.

“It has been crazy,” said Mrs Wise. “One woman even travelled 50 miles the other day just to get a bar.

“Being a family business, it is so important for us to continue to diversify. This has generated a real buzz and has been really successful at pulling customers into the butchers to see what other produce we have.”

Not only has it helped with the business, it has also helped the baker get a new piece of kit for her kitchen.

Mrs Wise said: “We have wanted a new fridge for ages and we got a new one this week, which we are absolutely thrilled about.

“It is quite difficult for small businesses at the minute, with the rise in National Insurance and electricity bills remaining very high, so we really appreciate everyone who supports our little shop.”

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