Thanks to lots of lovely local indies providing afternoon tea takeaways, you can now have your cake - and eat it. To celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week, August 10-16, Louise Cummings spotlights six of the best

Fitzbillies, Cambridge

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Owner: Alison Wright

Usual offering? Second to the Chelsea Bun, Fitzbillies attracts thousands every year for its traditional afternoon tea. We’re delighted to be able to offer afternoon tea to takeaway and enjoy in the garden, at a riverside picnic, or best of all, on a punt!

Takeaway treat? The Fitzbillies traditional afternoon tea includes four finger sandwiches on our freshly-baked brown and white bread (fillings include smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, baked ham and mustard and cheddar cheese with apple chutney), a sultana scone with raspberry jam and clotted cream, three mini cakes from our bakery (a fresh fruit tart, almond macaron and chocolate brownie), and elderflower presse. All our baked products are handmade at our Cambridge bakery – and the afternoon tea is attractively presented in a cake box with a clear window, finished with Fitzbillies ribbon (all packaging is biodegradable/recyclable).

What customers say? Once we opened for takeaway, we knew our traditional afternoon tea in a box had to be part of the menu. We’ve also created a cream tea box for more casual occasions, including a fruit scone, cream and jam, and a hot or cold drink.

Cost? The afternoon tea is £19 per person and cream tea is £6.50 per person.

How to order? Collect from either of our branches: 51-52 Trumpington Street, or 36 Bridge Street, Cambridge. Pre-order the traditional afternoon tea to collected with 24 hours’ notice via fitzbillies.com, by emailing orders@fitzbillies.com or calling 07494 481177. The cream tea is available in branch or can be pre-ordered.

The HoneyShed Bakery, Dullingham

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Owner: Ana Cerdeño

Usual offering? I specialise in bespoke celebration and wedding cakes and dessert tables, afternoon teas, grazing picnic boxes and party catering.

Takeaway treat? Due to Covid-19, I made my afternoon tea offering a self-contained take-away product, and my customers have loved the whole idea! The box consists of three different sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, macarons, chocolates, brownie bites, cake, fresh fruit and teabags. They come with napkins and wooden cutlery, in compostable containers and boxes by Vegware UK. I can also add a greeting card.

What customers say? The feedback has been wonderful; I’m so chuffed! Everybody is really pleased not only with the food, but the fact that my afternoon tea boxes are self-contained and so can be enjoyed at home or as a picnic.

Cost? The afternoon tea box for two is £30.

How to order? Email me at honeyshed.bakery@gmail.com, so I can gather dietary requirements. I deliver free to nearby villages to Dullingham and Newmarket, but need to charge for deliveries further afield.

Sophie's Afternoon Teas and Cakes, Burwell

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Owner: Sophie Elliott

Usual offering? I offer afternoon teas and cream teas in your own home or business, using beautiful vintage china. I also provide cakes to order through my market stalls, including Ely and Newmarket Markets.

Takeaway treat? My afternoon tea consists of finger sandwiches, a plain scone with clotted cream and jam and three cakes (typically brownie, Victoria sponge and cherry flapjack, although it can vary). The cream teas consist of two plain scones with clotted cream and jam. Normally I would also provide tea and coffee, but for the takeaway version I can't.

What customers say? I've had really positive feedback and some lovely reviews on my Facebook page. A lot of people have ordered for friends and family they can't see because of lockdown, which is lovely and the person receiving the afternoon tea is usually surprised and very touched. People really love the brownies and cherry flapjack. I offer gluten-free and vegan versions, which have been very well received.

Cost? Afternoon tea, £10 per person; cream tea, £5 per person, plus travel costs.

How to order? Email sophie.elliott2@btinternet.com or private message through my Facebook page or Whatsapp on 07872 601965. Visit sophiesafternoonteas.com for more details.

Waffle+Co, Saffron Walden

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Owners: Ana Hayter and Tori May

Usual offering? You can usually find us serving handcrafted savoury and sweet waffles from our beautiful, vintage horse box, which has been converted into our waffle kitchen. We travel the local area, serving our exquisite waffles from the hatch. We’ve created truly delicious combinations, such as our popular Southern Fried Buttermilk Chicken with whipped chive butter and maple syrup, served atop a homemade, artisan waffle.

Takeaway treat? We are offering ‘Waffles at Home’, creating a new menu each week (savoury and sweet) and delivered straight to doorsteps in our community. The waffles come ready made, with a variety of ingredient pots. Just pop the waffles in the toaster or under the grill and get creative with toppings! Recent offerings includes a Banoffee Waffle (two waffles, banana chips, salted caramel sauce, fresh banana and biscuit crumb). Our Waffle Churros with cinnamon sugar and white chocolate hazelnut sauce were a real hit too.

What customers say? It's been so positive. We are truly overwhelmed by the response and reviews. And lots of repeat customers! We're so humbled and thrilled with the support we've received.

Cost? Between £10 and £12 depending on the menu choice. Each box serves two.

How to order? Order at waffleand.co. We are currently delivering to Saffron Walden and surrounding villages, but hope to deliver to Cambridge soon.

Hubbard's Delightful Cupboard, Waterbeach

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Owner: Mark Hubbard

Usual offering? I am a relatively new business, operating since February 2020. Pre-Covid, I’ve been working as a bespoke cake maker, private chef and event caterer.

Takeaway treat? I deliver afternoon teas, cream teas and a selection of homemade cakes, cupcakes, biscuits and cheesecakes. I personally make ALL the baked items which, in the afternoon tea box, include 100 per cent butter shortbread, an English vintage cheddar scone, fruit scone, a premium cupcake and freshly made finger sandwiches. These are accompanied by Cornish clotted cream, preserve, a Lichfield tea bag, napkin, knife and hand wipe. I offer a children’s afternoon tea too.

I have also been delivering home cooked meals to vulnerable personnel unable to cook for themselves or self-isolating.

What customers say? The afternoon tea box has been incredibly popular, receiving amazing feedback. One customer described it as ‘absolutely delicious’, while another commented: ‘Superb afternoon tea, generous portions, delicious food and excellent value for money’.

Cost? An afternoon tea costs £10, a children’s afternoon tea is £8 and a cream tea is £3.50.

How to order? Phone 07391 649431, email h_d_c@aol.com or contact via Instagram @hubbardsdelightfulcupboard. Alternatively private message via Facebook at facebook.com/Hubbardsdelightfulcupboard The delivery radius is within eight miles of Waterbeach, but can be widened at a customer’s request for a small delivery charge.

Alison Reed Fine Cakes, Fulbourn

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Owner: Alison Reed

Usual offering? Bespoke wedding and celebration cakes, including iced cakes with handmade sugar flowers; naked cakes with flowers, fresh fruit, macarons or chocolate decorations; Temari cakes and cupcakes.

Takeaway treat? I put a lot of care and attention into every item that goes into the afternoon teas. The menu changes regularly to offer variety and make the most of seasonal produce. I can accommodate most dietary requirements including gluten free and dairy free. Currently in the box are sweet treats (one per person) such as chocolate and blackberry Opera Cake, rhubarb and custard Viennese whirls, lemon and elderflower sponge cakes and mini summer fruit pavlova. There’s a plain scone with Bonne Maman strawberry/raspberry jam and clotted cream, plus finger sandwiches with filling options of beef and horseradish, ham and mustard, cucumber, cheese and chutney, smoked salmon and cream cheese.

What customers say? They’ve been very kind and it’s been a pleasure to provide a service like this. A lot of customers buy the afternoon teas as gifts for friends and family who need a pick-me-up in these difficult times. I’ve had a lot of repeat customers and referrals, which is fantastic.

Cost? The afternoon teas are £15 per person, with discounts for larger orders. I do have to ask for a small delivery charge of £2 within six miles of Fulbourn.

How to order? Message via Facebook (facebook.com/reedscakes) or email alison@reedscakes.com I offer a contact-free pick-up option from Fulbourn but I also deliver, primarily in the Cambridge area.