Fit for a King

If there is a dessert that can steal hearts, it’s sticky toffee pudding. Just ask David White, founder of The Great British Treat House, whose classic British confection sells out nearly every weekend at farmers markets in Mishawaka and South Bend, Indiana.

“It’s the crowning glory of British dessert menus,” says White, a “wife-taught” baker from England who moved to South Bend in 1998 for an operations management role at a manufacturing firm. Since setting up shop at the Mishawaka Farmers Market in 2019, White has expanded his offerings to include millionaire’s shortbread, classic shortbread, lemon curd, Victoria sponge cake, Fat Rascals, ginger biscuits and Welsh cakes—small, sweet flatbreads studded with dried fruit. “Each of these treats has a story, a history, and they have withstood the test of time,” he says.

White also offers seasonal specialties such as mince pies at Christmas, hot cross buns at Easter and thirst-quenching lemon barley water—the official drink of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships—in the summer. He and his family share the baking responsibilities, and his two young adult daughters often pitch in at the markets.

Great British Treat House purchases come with an English breakfast tea bag, a card explaining the dessert’s history and, perhaps best of all, a lively conversation with the gregarious White, who has an infectious sense of humor and engages customers about everything from their favorite childhood foods to English football.

“I am a connector,” White says. “I began doing this as a way to have a laugh and meet people; it has never been about making a big business.” White says he hopes the conversation and other extras he offers encourage people to pause and take a moment to enjoy the little things.

“When you buy a cake, a card and a cup of tea, I hope you can stop your world for a half an hour, put your feet up, smile at the card, read the history, enjoy the cake and have a proper time-out,” he says.

The Great British Treat House also sells dozens of witty greeting cards illustrated by White, including his popular “high tea” card that features British naval Admiral Horatio Nelson sitting atop the Trafalgar Square column erected in his honor, sipping a cup of tea.

White’s lively repartee with market visitors generates a party-like atmosphere around his booths, especially on weekends. Customers come for the treats and stay for the conversation. Perhaps now more than ever, life feels more manageable when we take time for a treat and a friendly chat. The proof is in the (insanely delicious) sticky toffee pudding.

The Great British Treat House

574.229.5145

facebook.com/thegbtreathouse

Renée LaReau is the founder of South Bend Baking Supply.