In 2008, Melissa Ben-Ishay was fired from her job in advertising. Passionate about baking since childhood, Melissa decided to do what she loved and Baked by Melissa was born. Today, Baked by Melissa is famous for its signature, bite-size treats. With the idea that people should be able to taste more flavors without a post-dessert guilt trip, Melissa personally develops all of Baked by Melissa’s unique, bite-size creations and product offerings. Baked by Melissa operates 14 locations and ships nationwide.
In 2019 PAUL is celebrating its 130 year anniversary, arriving at this impressive milestone via five generations dedicated to creating great-tasting bread. It’s a remarkable story of one family whose belief in traditional, labour intensive baking methods and insistence on top quality ingredients have created the largest bakery in France today, and taken the PAUL name to 28 other countries.
PAUL has always been a community bakery, bringing the authentic taste of real French baking to its local customers. Whether they meet at cafes to chat with friends over a coffee and a pastry, or take food home to enjoy with friends, PAUL is dedicated to sharing its passion for food with customers all over the world. The recipes for bread, viennoiserie and patisserie have been handed down through the family for over one hundred years. The bakers are true artisans, with years of training.
PAUL UK opened in London in 2000 with its flagship shop and restaurant in Covent Garden. There are now a total of 37 shops in the UK, primarily Central London locations. Expansion plans are undergoing. This expansion will provide great opportunities for more people to join the business and to develop a career as the company grows.
Today PAUL has more than 500 stores operating in 29 countries, including France, Holland, Japan, Kuwait and the USA. It is still owned by the founding Holder family.
Lola's Cupcakes began back in 2006 when two friends, Victoria Jossel and Romy Lewis, started things the good old fashioned way. Originally taking orders in their bedrooms and baking in their parent's kitchens, the orders soon started flooding in and they had to move production to a bakery in Primrose Hill.
With their love for baking and passion for the finest, freshest ingredients the company grew from strength to strength. Lola’s opened concessions in Harrods, Selfridges and Topshop, a flagship in Mayfair, an online store and has worked hard to produce London’s best cupcakes.
Victoria and Romy moved on to other projects, but Lola’s continues to grow in team and spirit. Now with twenty stores across London, Lola’s handcrafts cakes and cupcakes for the city daily.
In each of our stores, from Chancery Lane Station to Canary Wharf and even Selfridges Birmingham, our cupcake specialists are on hand to advise and to give you a taste of our classic flavours as well as our seasonal new discoveries.
Our sponges rise with the sunrise and our bakers and decorators handcraft our cakes and cupcakes using only the finest ingredients. Fresh every day, always, Lola’s Cupcakes brings a smile of sweetness to people every single day.