The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
LINING UP FOR FAT TUESDAY TREATS
Sales of paczki and King Cake expected to be brisk
Exceptionally brisk business and Fat Tuesday go together like hand in glove at area bakeries and doughnut shops.
Falling this year on March 5, Fat Tuesday is, in Christian tradition, the final day for believers to indulge in rich, fatty food before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten fasting period.
In these parts, that means a steady stream of customers making purchases of a King Cake at Great Harvest Bread Company in Mentor or paczki (poonch-key) at a number of area doughnut shops and bakeries.
King Cake is a staple of Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans dating to the late 19th century.
As created by the bakers at Great Harvest Bread Company, the King Cake is a cinnamon swirl confection baked in the shape of a crown with vanilla frosting and sprinkles in the royal colors of purple, green and gold.
Molly Birt, marketing director and assistant store manager, said Great Harvest Bread Company last year sold much smaller versions of the King Cake on Fat Tuesday to gauge reaction to the product.
“Our customers really loved them, so we’re making a full-size version this year,” Birt said. “We believe we’ll see hundreds of them.”
The price of $24.95 includes themed packaging, printed history of the King Cake tradition and a small plastic baby signifying the baby Jesus. The plastic baby can be, if the customer wishes, hidden in the cake.
The person who finds the baby in his or her piece is supposed to receive good luck and blessings.
Paczki is a deep-fried doughnut of Eastern European origin commonly prepared with fruit or cream filling and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Thousands of paczki will be sold on Fat Tuesday at locations including Biagio’s Donut Shop & Pizzeria in Eastlake, Gartman Model Bakery in Painesville, Pink Bandana Bakery in Mentor and Spudnuts Shop in Mentor.
Pink Bandana owner Kathleen Robinson said paczki were big sellers last year on Fat Tuesday.
“It was our first year in business and we didn’t know what to expect,” Robinson said.
“My advice is to get here early,” she added, laughing.
“The line will be long and we expect to sell out.”
Fat Tuesday opening times are: Great Harvest Bread Company, 7 a.m.; Biagio’s, 3 a.m.; Gartman Model Bakery, 5 a.m.; Pink Bandana Bakery, 5 a.m.; and Spudnuts Shop, open 24 hours.