This is officially Peggy Porschen week on Maison Cupcake and first we are visiting the Peggy Porschen Parlour.
I am excited to present, for your sugary gorgeous delight, a whole line up of Peggy related posts between now and Friday. Today we are visiting the Peggy Porschen Parlour but also I will be showing you behind the scenes at a cake decorating course making wedding cakes at the Peggy Porschen Academy.
Images: Peggy Porschen
I was spinning cartwheels when I was invited to attend a two day cake masterclass at the Peggy Porschen Academy.
Really me? You mean that gorgeous place where people learn to make incredibly amazing cookies and cakes like these above? With Peggy herself?
You could have knocked me down with a pink feather.
In fact, I need a cup of tea to revive myself.
What better place to fan myself than Peggy’s parlour cafe?
Visiting The Peggy Porschen Parlour, Belgravia, London
The Peggy Porschen Parlour opened in autumn 2010 and sits on the corner of an extremely well to do street in Belgravia.
The shop is pretty and feminine with pink chairs and tables outside. I often recognise its exterior softly focused in the background of fashion spreads.
Rubbing noses with premises for William Curley, Erickson Beamon, Philip Treacy, a glance at the locale clientele tells you this is a seriously exclusive neighbourhood with prices to match.
Business is especially brisk after the 4×4 school run and on weekends. It’s only a little place so you may not manage to get a seat at these times.
It’s full on sugar fest in here, this isn’t the place to come for a sandwich or a cheese scone. Instead you can treat yourself to a beautifully piped miniature cake, cupcakes, muffins and cookies all in Peggy’s distinctive romantic style.
For those unwilling to submit to potential waistline expansion, the Peggy Porschen Parlour also serves a muffin with fewer than 100 calories. I’m told it’s extremely popular with local mums.
You can also take home some Peggy branded soaps, body lotions and aprons.
Ah well, if you can’t bring yourself to eat the cakes with more than 100 calories then you can wear Peggy’s wares instead.
Above right you can see some of Peggy Porschen Parlour signature pink fondant fancies as seen on the cover of her book “Cake Chic”.
Peggy is German but has been living in the UK for over twelve years. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu, Marylebone and was previously a cake decorator at Konditor & Cook.
Of course the good thing about somewhere so intimate, is that you get a fantastic close up view of all the big cakes on display.
I especially liked this square tiered cake with applique fondant bibs, bears and prams for a baby shower.
Being stuffed with cupcakes from the break during my decorating class, I’m sorry to say I didn’t have anything more exciting than a spicy gingerbread tea and a mini macaron in the cafe!
I was sat very close to these flower cookies on display in the Peggy Porschen Parlour window. So simple but gorgeous.
This pink and brown spotty cake is one of Peggy’s signature designs, very similar to one seen on the cover of her “Romantic Cakes” book. The pink ruffled one had just been used in a photo shoot for a bridal magazine.
Come back tomorrow to see how I got on decorating a two tier wedding cake for the first time under Peggy’s expert eye!
Later this week, I’ll also be reviewing and giving away three copies of Peggy’s latest book “Peggy’s Favourite Cakes and Cookies”.
With thanks to Peggy Porschen
Peggy Porschen Parlour
116 Ebury Street
Belgravia, London SW1W 9QQ
Tel +44 (0) 20 7730 1316
Peggy’s Favourite Cakes & Cookies by Peggy Porschen is published by Quadrille from June 6th 2011.
No way! I was there on saturday!! I was going to write about one of the cakes I ate. I am so jealous that you got to do a class there!!!!!
*kisses* HH
My only regret is I didn’t eat more cake in the cafe!!
Oh. My. God. Why is it that I still can’t hate you, despite the fact that you got to live my dream???? 😀
LOL wait until you see where else I’ve been since!
Peg did the wedding cake for my boss’s daughter when she got married a few years ago, and it was beautiful. She also did individual cupcakes which were gorgeous as well. They were like little wedding cakes, each one individually decorated with a single bloom, sweet peas, lily of the valley, etc. Prettiest cake (s) I have ever seen. How lucky are you that you got to attend this class!! I can’t wait to see what you produce!
I bet those were gorgeous, her flowers are so realistic.
Oh. My. Word. Jealous does not even cover it x
Wow! This place looks gorgeous! It’s almost on my doorstep and I’ve never been? Slap on the wrist for me! Right, all plans cancelled this weekend- I’m going to park myself in Peggys and sit and eat. And eat some more. Can’t wait to hear how the class went!
Oh, man. I love Peggy Porschen! I only wish the cakes were a little less dear, but they are worth occasionally splashing out for.
Looking forward to seeing how the masterclass went.
I spent all day Monday making my first fondant decorated cake from her new book. Not sure Peggy would be impressed with my first effort :-p
that polka dot one is truly a pleasant sight..sooo j that u got to be there for a class 🙂
Oh wow, now there’s a shop. How beautiul. I so wish I owned a shop like that – isn’t it a dream?! The cakes look so delicate and delicious. I think I met you on the evening you had finsihed decorating there. I seem to remember you were carrying a couple of large boxes! Can’t wait to see how they turned out and to read more about the class. It was a cupcake course that first inspired me to start my blog so I know they can be thrilling. x
Oh! My! Goodness! I think I’ll have to take my little girl, but my baking will never, ever, satisfy her again. How lovely and inspiring. I can only imagine what a wonderful time you must have had. Jude x PS Looking forward to the Wedding Cake.
I’m sure she’ll never turn her mum’s cake down no matter how much she loves Peggy’s!!
Such simple elegance. Can’t wait for the next posts.
How can something be so perfect?! 🙂
Can’t wait for the next posts!
Tks for sharing the experience!
Priscila.
Sigh… I know. I dream of making cakes so beautiful…
OMG! I adore Peggy Porschen!! You are so lucky! I am looking forward to your posts!
Thank you!
How fantastic. I’m gonna be in London next week and I’ll be visiting Peggy for my afternoon treats. I cannot wait.
Oh lucky you, enjoy!
I am officially envious! You’re in the cake decorator’s haeven! Looking forward to the giveway 🙂 I hope I win lol
Thanks!
I am so jealous!! Ridiculously jealous!!! The only thing that makes it slightly better is getting to look at your beautiful photographs and wait patiently for the next posts…..sigh what I would give to live back home in the UK again (I live in Canada now)….oh well, one thing for sure is Im heading there next time I’m back!! Until then i’ll just continue to be jealous of you! Hope you had a fantastic time : )
Ah, don’t be jealous. You get to live in Canada!
Wow. It all looks so gorgeous! The cakes are so perfect and the decor is amazing! First thing on my Christmas list this year is one of those spotty aprons.
You know I do believe that the quality of your cakes would be improved if you did. You can tell your husband that anyway…
Wow – that is the kind of place that all girls dream of……….there is a similar place in Galway where I live (although not so fancy) I try (and fail) to drag my fiance in there every weekend but apparently it’s too pink for him!
Yeah, I’m not sure my husband would go there more than once either… I’ll have to concoct a reason to escape and go back!
I loved the cafe when I went – the cakes were fabulous and the shop is so pretty!
Looking forward to reading about your class 🙂
I’m definitely going again next time I’m over that side of town. It was a joy to sit in all that prettiness!
Oh dear god! WHY, WHY, WHY couldn’t I have been invited along! Seriously, you’re just so darn lucky! If you ever need a holiday, can I please be you?? 😉
LOL if you’d like a “holiday” looking after Ted then be my guest!!
Hi you have a lovely work … i am from egypt and i hope to take a lessons with you if you can please let me know how can i contact with you & how much it will be…thx & good luck
I love Peggy Porshen! I have one of her books, and it’s so inspiring! Love all the pink in her shop, I must make my way here soon.
I think I must take a trip to that cafe.
My aunt used to live in a dingy basement on Ebury street many years ago. I remember staying with her 30 years ago.
What an absolutely stunning place! It is picture perfect – straight out of a movie set. I think its very apt for the address and no doubt the cafe is buzzing!You must have savoured every moment while you were there. These cakes are so pretty, it seems almost criminal to eat them!
Loved reading about your decorating day. You’re really good. I have Peggy’s books, but never manage to make anything from them well, save roses.
‘sits on the corner of an extremely well to do street in Belgravia’ – that made me laugh. It is basically next to Victoria Coach Station!! 🙂
Wow ! Fabulous cafe. I have never been in that kind of cafe. I think all the cakes and cookies there are awesome. Hope to see more great post here.
My daughter is a barista here at Peggy’s and I love to visit her…she isn’t a bit embarrassed that her Mum turns up! The sticky toffee cupcake and banoffee pie cupcakes are out of this world – plus all those delicious teas – the best place in London for tea – then extend your lazy Summer afternoon-to-evening with a drink at the Thomas Cubitt opposite – and parking is remarkably easy around there given it is SW1!
I second that the sticky toffee cupcakes are something else indeed!
I……think I’m in cake love.
Not at all tempted to snatch the hanging biscuits from the window? 🙂