Former Batley pub converted into American-inspired bake house

Kake Temptations, based in the former Oaklands pub, has had a tough first year but the family behind the venture are serving up some delicious treats.

Kake Temptations was started by teenager Sumaya Patel at the family home in Warwick Road, Batley Carr.

After much trial and error she perfected her recipes for some of the lightest and tastiest cakes around.

These include the popular Chocolate Bruce Cake, named after greedy schoolboy Bruce Bogtrotter in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Bruce stole a slice of cake from his teacher and was forced to eat a whole 18inch chocolate cake in front of his class.

When Sumaya got married she moved to Leicester and opened her own bake house.

This year she teamed up with brother Faizal to open a branch in her hometown.

“It’s been a very strange year,” said Faizal. “But everyone who has tried our cakes just loves them.

“We’ve created a fabulous place and we can’t wait to welcome customers back.”

The old pub off Bradford Road had been derelict for a year. It was previously Oaklands, then later Mr Smith’s run by Batley businessman Mike Smith, of Mike’s Carpets.

“It had been another venue after Mr Smith’s and the building needed a lot of work,” said Faizal, 37.

“From front to back we renovated the whole place but we have kept it as original as possible.

“We kept the wooden floors, the old beams and exposed brickwork. We have created a blend of the old and the new but it still has a Victorian vibe.”

The bake house, which has four industrial ovens, was opened in February but then had to shut for lockdown just weeks later. It was a month before they opened as a takeaway. They re-opened in the summer and took part in Eat Out to Help Out, the Government discount scheme, but are now closed and back to takeaways.

Sumaya, now 29, keeps her recipes secret even from Faizal and all the ingredients are sent from Leicester to Batley and baked on the premises.

“Only our mum Fatima knows but she’s not telling either,” said Faizal.