When the Bentley Heath Country Market first started (originally it was called the WI market and was based in the Catholic church hall in Dorridge), Eleanor was one of their first producers. That was back in 1974 and so Eleanor has been baking and cooking for Country Markets for over 40 years now! That is quite some incredible achievement. No wonder she has many customers who specifically ask for her cakes! No cook book or textbook can beat the knowledge built up after a life time of baking.
In the early days, Eleanor used to go with her sons (who were then at Dorridge Junior school) at 7 am to help get the tables out for market. I wonder if they remember going once a week to help their mum set up before school? It must have been an early start for them. They still occasionally come to the market when they are visiting their Mum.
Eleanor currently makes cakes, meringues, marmalade, jams, lemon curd and savoury pates for the market when she feels well enough to do so. Come rain or shine though, even if she hasn't been up to baking that week, she comes and helps us on a Friday.
In the past Eleanor used to also make birthday cakes to order (she particularly remembers making lots of train cakes for children) and savouries (steak and kidney pies, sausage rolls etc) on a weekly basis.
One of the things that Eleanor is most proud of is being the first person at our market to make meringues for sale. Her meringue nests today are beautifully crafted with precisely piped swirly edges and spiral inners. They are a market favourite for many customers who take them home and add fruit and cream for a simple dessert.
Eleanor said she didn't know what her best seller was, but as we stood there talking a customer came up and asked for one of her lemon drizzle cakes. I have heard this request before and so I think she was being modest. Over the years she has noticed a slight change in the preferences of our customers. In particular people buy less sweet cakes these days and rarely want a cake with icing or frosting. These were very popular in the past.
Many thanks to Eleanor for sharing her market experiences with us. You can buy her cakes, preserves and pates at the market each week or order in advance by phone (07514 060548).
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