Proof Social Bakehouse was teeming when we arrived mid-morning, despite its unlikely location on an industrial estate in Kennington, its new mezzanine level cafe drawing in walkers, cyclists, locals and Tap Social fans from far and wide. Its popularity is tangible.
You can see why immediately, the new cafe framing a hub of industry in the centre, bakers busy making delicious looking loaves of bread, croissants and buns. Instead of being hidden away here they provide a great source of entertainment and novelty. There’s no doubt of the authenticity of the produce, the ovens constantly in use from the early hours.
That Tap’ Social’s whole ethos is based around rehabilitating prisoners by training them in their many Oxfordshire businesses; from brewing to baking and hospitality, it just makes the whole Proof experience even more satisfying and inspiring.
But of course, the success of the whole operation rests on the quality of the baking – the proof is definitely in the pudding. And what a selection there is on offer, trays of almond croissants, pinwheels, Danish pastries and buns taunting you from the word go, impossible to ignore.
How to choose when there are sausage rolls, slices of rosemary focaccia, honey and lemon Danish, pain au Chocolat, peperoni Danish, ham and cheese slices, pain aux raisins laid out, lots of gluten free options, still warm, fresh from the ovens? You can understand the dilemma!
So we did what any self-respecting cafe lovers would do and filled our boots – starting with savouries – the red onion, cheese end chilli Danish, and the Marmite and cheese swirl, yes you heard that right – you could watch the bakers making them, each pinwheel crispy layer laced with Marmite and Cheddar, rich and strong. I’d cycle there from Oxford for one of those alone.
But our favourite was the red onion, béchamel and chilli Danish, sweet with onion, with just the right hit of heat, oozy with cheese, the pastry light and flakey.
Then the sweeter treats, Danish filled with berries and custard, sweet with a hint of sourness from the fruit, the cardamon and blackcurrant buns (like Chelsea buns) laced with purple fruit and spice, the cinnamon buns, square and juicy, an almond croissant rich with frangipane – all washed down with some excellent coffee, provided by New Ground Coffee.
As if that’s not enough there are all sorts of delicacies to take away from bread to Marmite & stout crackers. And as we emerged out into the sunshine, cafe lovers soaking up the rays at the tables outside, families arriving for some Tap hospitality, we marvelled at the intrepid, brave and fabulous entrepreneurial spirit at Tap, where the proof really is in the pudding.
So walk, cycle or get the bus and check it out, because you can’t miss out. We’re retuning for the doughnuts if nothing else!
Proof Social Bakehouse is at 68 Sandford Lane Industrial Estate, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5RP and open Thursday-Sunday 8am-3pm. https://www.proofbakehouse.com/cafe
