A RAPIDLY-expanding dessert business is savouring the sweet taste of success after its much-loved cookies and waffles earned it a spot in the final of the British Takeaway Awards.
Cookies and Cones, which opened initially in Leigh three years ago, flourished through lockdown and opened branches in Rayleigh and Wickford.
It is now eyeing a new shop on Southend High Street.
Fearing the pandemic could see his business go bankrupt, owner Matt Davis launched a website overnight.
Now, the firm take orders from all over the UK with its signature doughnuts, cookie cups and waffles in high demand.
Business boss - Matt Davis, owner of the successful company
Customer Nina Stewart, from Eastwood, wishes there could be a Cookies and Cones on every high street.
The 41-year-old said: “If they did, I’d probably live in there.
“There is so much variety. If I had the money or the stomach capacity, I would have had it all. There are a lot of dessert shops around, but they seem to be the ultimate.”
The team is set to open another store before the end of the month, moving the Southend branch to a bigger site on Southend High Street.
Mr Davis said: “We were over the moon to have been nominated by our customers, without them we wouldn’t even be in the competition.
“We hadn’t heard anything and knew it was a massive contest, so we weren’t expecting to get very far. Then I found out we were in the top five as finalists for the South East, we were so shocked.
“It’s crazy to be representing our area on a national stage. Especially as a small independent business less than five years old at a time when many places are having to close, it really is a phenomenal achievement.”
Delicious - The team in action getting orders ready for their fantastic customers
He added: “We were lucky to have thrived throughout the pandemic. We were thinking the worst at the time and there were some really frank discussions where I didn’t know how it would go.
“We did anything we could to survive, and it’s paid off.”
The competition winner will be announced on September 6.
Sweet treat - Milkshakes are just one of the scrumptious surprises on the Cookie and Cones menu
Sweet treat - Donuts are just one of the scrumptious surprises on the menu. Photo: Cookies and Cones
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