Cake and Flowers: The Dorchester hotel debuts hybrid cafe-florist
The Dorchester hotel in London has opened Cake and Flowers, a destination patisserie and florist selling gourmet cakes and couture florals. Jenny Southan reports
Following the lead of the Connaught, the Berkeley and Claridge's, which now all have destination cafés selling highly Instagrammable baked goods, the Dorchester has debuted Cake and Flowers as part of an ambitious transformation project. (Globetrender recently reviewed its revamped ground-floor bars and Promenade restaurant.)
Bringing together the talents of designer florist Philip Hammond and executive pastry chef Michael Kwan, the patisserie-florist has its own entrance on the Deanery Street corner of the hotel. Complete with mirrors, marble counters and mosaic floors, the opulent interiors have been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, with the intention of inspiring "joie de vivre". On display will be signature cakes to take away in chic packaging, gift hampers, floral bouquets and a selection of champagnes and artisan chocolates. Hammond has been crafting floral arrangements for the Dorchester since 2010 and was behind the creation of the hotel’s signature rose variety, the Dorchester Rose. Now, his bespoke, hand-crafted bouquets and floral masterpieces will be available for purchase at Cake and Flowers, both for pre-order collection and delivery. The boutique’s products will also be available online for delivery in central London.Kwan joined the Dorchester team in January 2022. Highlights include his take on the Dorchester Rose – a cake made with rose and jasmine cream, compressed pear and coconut crunch – as well as a citrus and orange blossom pavlova, with yuzu and bergamot meringue, citrus compote, orange blossom cream and confit citrus. Meanwhile his signature Tree Cake will change seasonally and include flavours such as cherry blossom tea mousse and sour cherry in the spring.
Open daily 10am-7pm.