Popular Mansfield cheesecake business celebrates moving into its new home
A Mansfield Woodhouse man is bucking the trend by coming out of lockdown with a new business and big plans for the future.
Paul Haywood has not let the Covid-19 crisis deter him from moving his home-based cheesecake business into new premises on High Street.
Haywood’s will now be the new base for 39-year-old Paul’s Alrate Cheesecakes – and he says opening the deli in the village where he grew up is ‘a dream come true’.
Paul was the successful owner of a fancy dress shop and starred on Gordon Ramsay’s television show ‘Culinary Genius’ in 2017 – with the celebrity chef describing his cooking-style as ‘like a caveman’, which inspired Paul to pursue a career in the food industry.
He said: “I’m buzzing to be open, I’ve always wanted my own place, so to have done this during lockdown is a dream come true.
"I just can’t wait until the restrictions end and I can start feeding people properly.”
The once-derelict building has been transformed since Paul took over the premises last year.
It now boasts a brand new commercial kitchen and opened for collection and takeaway earlier this month.
Haywood’s is currently open six days a week for customers to buy cheesecakes, and will extend to seven days once they are fully open for business after lockdown.
Paul plans to offer bistro-style seating outside from April, with customers able to choose from a full breakfast, lunch and dessert menu.
An evening menu will be on offer when restrictions allow for indoor dining.
Paul will also be joined by a qualified chef and, while the menu is under wraps for now, promises to offer ‘naughty’ food alongside his cheesecakes.
“The chef has 10 years’ experience, so we will be able to offer a great menu all day, every day, which has always been my dream,” he said.
"Everyone will be welcome too, from families to groups and even four-legged friends.
"I want the place to be fun for everyone and a place to just enjoy naughty food in a relaxed atmosphere.”
To find out more about Haywood’s, check out Alrate Cheesecakes on Facebook.