Our Story
As with most great things, they start far away and humble.
So it was with Charly’s Bakery…
It all began with Charly, a 16 year old boy looking for work in a small desert town called Swakopmund.
He swept the floor, made puff pastry, and washed dishes day in and day out under the stern guidance of the German Master Baker, until he was allowed to learn the cakes: classics like Black Forest cake and Sacher torte.
As with most good stories, there is woman, with long dark hair and a helluva cleavage who shows up and stirs the pot.
Her entrance and their union, resulted in two beautiful daughters and a move to Cape town.
First it was Charly’s in Thibault square, with food made to German perfection. Then onto the V & A Waterfront, where they were famous for “those quiches” and “those cakes!” ” that salad buffet”, not to forget the Eggs Benedict that had people queuing up for hours over long weekends and holidays.
It was crazy, so they decided to sell and go smaller…
Yeah right! You can’t keep a good thing small (or down).
Now they have this crazy, classic bakery.
The girls have joined them. The colours are now brighter, so is the future. The cakes are sexier, so are the woman.
The German perfection and standard? Well turn around, it’s still here.
2009.. The story unfolds when the woman with the long dark hair and the helluva cleavage had a dream… A dream of our story in a building where stories are born- Cape Town’s old Jewish book store.
This is a story of no fear, of boldly baking where no one has baked before.
There is a story… of gaining a new daughter. Of hearts making space for new people to love. A story of “magic”, of things working when science says it shouldn’t. Stories of Oompa Loompas, of Luf Luf and gooi gooi.
Again, turn around and ask those who work here to tell you their story. Then listen. You will be amazed.
So this is the story of Charly’s… in an Almond shell.
With ♥ #1 Admirer… A. VDM
