Silke Bruening was born in Bremen, Germany and her passion for baking began at an early age helping her Mum bake at home. Silke began as an apprentice in Bremen and swiftly moved on to work in hotels based in Berlin and Munich. With a desire to learn English Silke moved to London in 1988, working in top hotels such as the Dorchester, St Martins Lane and Sanderson Hotel. With an aspiration to launch her own unique pastry shop, Silke left London moving to the Cotswolds and Cacao Bean was born. Since 2008 Silke has been hand crafting yummy delights in her own Konditorei Café (continental style pastry shop).

One of the key factors in Cacao Bean’s success has been our ethos that cakes taste best when they’ve been freshly baked using exactly the same ingredients and techniques as those used in home baking. Our onsite kitchen and team of resident expert pastry chefs and cake decorators serve our customers cakes that have been freshly baked.

We create exquisite celebration and wedding cakes along with a wide selection of delicious mini cakes, tarts, mousse cakes, gateaux, chocolates and truffles, as well as a variety of seasonal cakes and treats many inspired by other cultures including Silke's native Germany.