Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us.....a year ago today we struggled through the snow (again), started baking some cakes, Alex started making a pot of soup and his bread.  Some of my farmers' market customers knocked on the door so we invited them in to take a look.  Then a couple more did. Then a couple more.  We tried to lock the door after people came in because we were "probably going to open tomorrow". We then forgot to lock the door and we noticed 'non previous market customers' had walked in and asked if we were open.  I think my words were, "well not really but come in anyway". People then asked if we had a menu.  The menu was the soup (chorizo, chickpea and roast pepper - we're doing the same soup today).  They wanted it. We served it. Then they had cake and some drinks. Tah dah. That was it.  We really did open by accident on that first day. Our menu today (a year on) is a little longer - have a look here or click on the MENU link above.  Our savoury menu on the second day involved a tart - gruyere, sunblushed tomato, chard and red onion. Hmm. Sounds nice.

We're still here and are delighted about that and cannot quite believe the level of support we've received and the fact that our customers are probably made up of an awful lot of regulars who keep on telling their friends and families about us. Might sound a bit corny but it's quite difficult not to think that our customers are our friends (told you it was corny but we mean that). A common question in the kitchen is, "I think I know the lady/man on table two/three/etc" but then we realise we don't actually know you/them, it's just that they/you come in an awful lot and we feel we do know them.  Do you know how difficult it is for us not to ask so many questions when you pop up to the till or when we take your order? Things like, where do you live? What do you do? Where did you get that lovely coat? Are you single (hee hee)? 

To celebrate our first year, we want to try to raise a little bit of money for a charity that's close to our hearts - the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. Not a very 'sexy' charity I'm afraid but one that needs any publicity it can get. We're going to offer free tea or coffee with any sit in food purchase and customers are very welcome to make a donation (no obligation of course). We're also holding a raffle for a £25 T Ann Cake gift voucher (we're holding the draw at 5pm in the cafe tonight).

If you've been in. We thank you. You've got an awful lot of  other coffee shops/cafes to choose from in Dundee and you choose to come to us sometimes - we really appreciate this. 

Lots and lots of love from Ann, Alex and the T Ann Cake team xxxx