Fine Yorkshire Fayre with Canadian Flair

From making Canadian desserts at home to opening a deli takeaway, Fayre by Alley is a Leeds- based business success story.

The Nanaimo Bar has been called ‘Canada’s Favourite Confection’. Fayre by Alley is a new and growing business which has introduced this Canadian dessert to cafés, markets and food events in Leeds. And, even in these challenging economic times, is expanding.

The Nanaimo Bar (pronounced ‘nuh-nay-moh’) is a three layer dessert square named after the city in Western Canada where it originated. The Bar has a crunchy biscuit, cocoa and coconut base, a soft, sweet custard middle and a solid chocolate top. It is different from a brownie, cupcake or a millionaire’s square in its rich and multi-textured taste. The Nanaimo Bar has earned its spot beside the cup of coffee, pot of tea, glass of red wine or pint of real ale.  And Fayre by Alley has created over 20 flavours based on this traditional Canadian recipe.

Alley is Alleyne Oman, a Canadian who has been living in the UK for over ten years. She moved to Leeds in February 2011 from London and rather than pursuing a job in the financial services industry where she previously worked, she decided to start a home-based business by making and selling Nanaimo Bars.  After a sell-out debut at the first Kirkstall Abbey Deli Market in May 2011 - selling the Bars from a little camping table - her company Fayre by Alley has been expanding thanks to a growing fan base of customers and ‘foodies’ who are in search of new taste experiences.   She and her Nanaimo Bars have since been at 2012 Leeds Loves Food Event in Millennium Square, Leeds CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival, Cornucopia Food and Drink Events in the Corn Exchange and The Source in Kirkgate Market.

After a successful first year, the time and the finances were right to relocate Fayre by Alley out of the family home and to expand and diversify the business.  The Fayre by Alley Deli Takeaway opened its doors in June 2012.  Located at 137 Kirkstall Lane, Leeds, LS5 3LF, its aim is to create a delicious and unique taste experience with quality food sourced from Yorkshire-based producers with a dash of Canadian flair.  The Deli Takeaway offers quality takeaway breakfasts, hot and cold beverages, ‘handmade to order’ deli sandwiches and lunch combos, desserts and savoury snacks.  Hampers for cricket and rugby matches and catering for offices, schools and events – both sweet and savoury - can also be arranged.  Nanaimo Bars now have a permanent home – Alley’s Nanaimo Bar Emporium - with a range of flavours always on offer and bespoke orders for private and corporate events easily arranged.  And Alley will still be supplying the Bars to selected Leeds eateries and runs her regular market stalls at the monthly Leeds Briggate Farmers and Craft Market and Kirkstall Abbey Deli Market.

‘It’s so exciting to be able to do this after just a year in business’, enthuses Alley.  ‘The fantastic support and ‘can do’ attitudes of fellow Leeds businesses and the appetite of local people wanting to try ‘something new and different’ have pushed me forward to more and more success despite the obvious anxieties of going out on my own in the current economic climate.’

A big step from that little camping table a year ago.

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