THE CHRISTMAS RUSH THAT STARTED IN JUNE (December 2005)

Hilary Jenkins and Ann Hustwit began preparing for the Christmas rush as long ago as June. And by the beginning of December the partners in Jenkins and Hustwit Limited, of Bishop Auckland, had baked and despatched thousands of Christmas cakes and puddings for customers in an area stretching from Perthshire to the south coast.

For years Hilary and Ann have been known to one and all as “The Cake Ladies”, distinguished by their trademark hats and frilly aprons. They specialise in making luxury fruit cakes, ranging from the very rich to the low sugar and 99 per cent fat free.

All are handmade in the traditional way with natural ingredients, to recipes that have been handed down through the generations.

Jenkins and Hustwit also make celebration cakes, granny loaves, deluxe cherry and almond cake, butter Madeira, date and walnut and other high quality cakes. They have won numerous Great Taste Awards. Such is the progress the two former home economics teachers have made since they gave up teaching and started baking several years ago, that their products are now stocked by Selfridges and some of London’s leading delicatessens.