Treats for All : Behind The Scenes of our Plant-Based, Gluten-Free Allergy-Friendly Bakery Stall

Yinka Okello
Jul 16
9 min read

Vegan and Gluten-Free | Allergy-Friendly Cakes & Brownies at London Summer Festivals

The first half of 2025 has been a whirlwind here at Marisola Parlour, and we couldn’t let it slip by without sharing an update with you – the OG's, our loyal customers, new supporters, and fellow food lovers. From new events and market days to the quiet triumphs behind the scenes, this year has been one of growth, challenges, and deeply humbling moments.

As a small, plant-based, gluten-free bakery dedicated to bringing joy to families and individuals living with food sensitivities, each milestone feels significant. Today, we’re opening up about what’s been happening, what we’ve learned, and what’s coming next – because your support is what makes every step possible.

Gluten-Free Plant-Based Bakes at London Markets and Festivals

Summer festival season is one of the highlights of our year. There’s a special joy in setting up our navy and gold stall, sharing our bakes with families, and seeing the smiles that come from knowing everyone can have a treat – no matter their allergies.

The past few months have seen Marisola Parlour popping up at local events across Romford, Hornchurch, and beyond. We were thrilled to return for our second year at the Romford Food Festival, followed closely by the Langtons Eco Fayre at Langtons Courtyard in Hornchurch - our 3rd year in a row participating. Both events were fantastic opportunities to connect with returning customers and introduce our gluten-free, vegan cakes, from our – from our best-selling brownie bites to delicate Bundt cakes, and hot drink blends to new faces.

Our stall was a hub of conversation, laughter, and happy taste buds. We loved seeing families seeking out treats safe for their dietary needs, which is exactly why we do what we do. These events reminded us that food should bring people together, not leave anyone out.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be part of the Burrp! Food Festival, taking place on 26th and 27th July at Hainault Skating Park. Expect a celebration of cuisines from around the world, face painting and inflatables for the children, and plenty of opportunities to discover new culinary delights. If you’re local, we’d love to see you there!

Family Favourites: Allergen-Friendly and Plant-Based Treats for All

One of the highlights of this year has been the connections we’ve built with you – our customers. Each conversation at our stall or message online is special, but sometimes, a story stands out.

We were incredibly touched when a customer shared how they had walked all the way from a nearby town just to visit us at the market. They wanted to get some exercise but, more importantly, they made the journey simply to enjoy our bakes. Knowing that someone would go out of their way like that for us was truly humbling. Moments like these remind us why we began Marisola Parlour: to make delicious, beautiful treats accessible to everyone, including those often left out of the conversation due to allergies or dietary needs.

We’ve also seen familiar faces returning to our stall month after month, which has been a much needed encouragement and always brings a smile to our faces. These returning visits let us know we’re getting somethings right – we know we still have a lot of tweaks to make but your feedback inspires us to keep improving.

One of the standout moments this summer was meeting a family whose story mirrors our own. Their son has multiple allergies, including dairy, while his mum is coeliac. Finding treats they can all safely enjoy together has always been a challenge – until they visited us at the festival. They first bought our brownie bites, and the look on his little face after his first bite was priceless. To our surprise, they were back later that same day to pick up more treats to take home as the first batch had been eaten! It’s moments like this that remind us we can bring a little bit of joy to those around us.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Your kind words make the long hours and early mornings worth it. Here are just a few recent comments that have meant so much to us:

“Always such a lovely experience buying from Marisola Parlour. As someone with a dairy allergy, it’s often hard to find cakes that cater for me and are genuinely yummy and well priced!! Highly recommend this local treat.”

“Discovered this pop up in Romford market today… tried out a few cupcakes and brownies and absolutely wonderful… thank you very much, you will see me again :)”

Each time we receive feedback like this, it gives us a little boost of energy and a sense of pride in what we’re building together.

Big Milestone: Gluten-Free and Allergen Testing for Our Cakes

A hand picking up a cupcake decorated with edible flowers

One of the most significant developments this year has been finally getting our cakes professionally tested for gluten, egg and dairy (beta casein). We’re delighted to share that they tested at less than 5ppm (parts per million), which is well below the 20ppm threshold for products to be labelled gluten-free. They also tested below the threshold for egg and dairy.

This has been a long-term goal for Marisola Parlour. We know how important trust is when you’re living with coeliac disease or severe food sensitivities. However, allergen testing can be expensive, and as a small business, it took time (and a lot of cake sales!) to make it happen. We’re proud to see this investment pay off, giving our customers even more confidence that our products are safe. This has been an essential step in our journey, reaffirming our commitment to inclusive baking.

Online Store Updates: Plant-Based Treats Delivered to Your Door

While we love seeing you at markets and festivals, we know not everyone is local. That’s why we’ve been working hard on expanding our online shop. Our gluten-free Brownie Boxes continue to be a favourite, and we’re currently preparing to launch our gluten-free vegan Cookies range, available for pre-order soon. We launched our celebration Bundt Cakes as a postal cake - so wherever you are in the UK you can get a slice of Marisola Parlour treats.

Our online drinks selection has also been growing steadily. Our Vegan White Hot Chocolate has seen a surprising surge in popularity, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s now a staple on our online store, perfect for cosy evenings or thoughtful gifts. If you’re unable to make it to our market stalls, please do visit our website to browse our postal-friendly options – all carefully packaged and sent straight to your door.

Seasonal Specials: Strawberry Gateaux - Top 14 Allergen Friendly!

Our new gateaux range was born from the flavours and colours of summer - and our Strawberry Gateaux has been a showstopper. Made with a light, fluffy gluten-free sponge, layers of plant-based cream, and fresh strawberries, it’s a seasonal delight that’s proven very popular.

Inspired by fresh fruits and the pretty, vibrant cakes we’d seen online, we wanted to create something just as beautiful – but free from common allergens. After receiving several enquiries about soya-free options, we got to work perfecting a recipe that’s top 14 allergen-free, so even more families can celebrate without worry. These cakes have been a hit, combining soft, indulgent sponge with seasonal fruits and delicate decorations.

We’re now offering the Strawberry Gateaux for delivery – just drop us an email to arrange your order.

The Realities of Running a Small Bakery Stall

While we love every minute of connecting with customers, setting up at markets and festivals takes its toll. The reality of running a small, independent bakery comes with plenty of challenges.

There’s the physical labour of loading, unloading, setting up, and packing down. It’s a workout in itself, requiring strength and resilience. Getting the stall ready often starts with packing the car at dawn, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our family. They help load, unload, and sometimes even keep an eye on little ones while we get everything in place. Not to mention the mental load - will anyone turn up? Did we prepare the right amount of stock? The uncertainty can be stressful, especially when facing unpredictable weather or last-minute event changes. In addition going home with unsold bakes when the day hasn't gone to plan can feel disheartening, particularly knowing the effort and ingredients that went into them. But every day is a new opportunity to learn and adapt.

On days when I’m attending alone, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the kindness of fellow stallholders. Whether it’s lending a hand with putting up the gazebo, helping secure items when the wind picks up, or watching the stall while I nip away for a bathroom break – their support has made these busy days run smoothly. These connections remind me that behind every successful event is a community of people lifting each other up.

Finding time for family while growing the business – and managing personal health – can be a delicate juggle. It’s a reminder of why building a sustainable pace is so important, and why your continued support means the world to us.

Community, Connection, and Why We Do This

At its heart, Marisola Parlour is about more than just cakes or hot chocolates. It’s about creating a safe space for those who often feel left out – whether because of allergies, intolerances, or personal choices.

It’s about the mum who can finally order a birthday cake for her child without worrying about egg or milk allergies; the person with coeliac disease who can enjoy a brownie without fear; or the family looking for a special treat everyone can share.

This year has shown us time and again that when food is inclusive, it’s more joyful. And it’s your visits, messages, shares, and kind words that remind us why we started – and why we’ll keep going.

Birthday cake and cupcakes from ariel view

We are still left speechless by the thought of the customer who walked from another town just to visit our stall. They combined their visit with a walk for exercise but made the effort because they wanted to enjoy our bakes - it’s these human connections that fuel everything we do.

What’s Next? : Looking Ahead

We’re always planning our next events and working on new recipes to bring even more allergy-friendly joy to your celebrations. It may seem early, but behind the scenes, we’re already hard at work developing our festive menu. We’re planning to bring back beloved favourites and introduce some new seasonal treats.

We’d love your suggestions! Is there a flavour you’ve been craving? A festive bake you’d love to see in a gluten-free, plant-based version? Drop us a message on Instagram, Facebook or email – your ideas help shape what we do.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we do so with gratitude. Thank you for believing in us, for choosing Marisola Parlour for your celebrations, and for being part of our growing community. Whether you’ve visited our stall once or supported us since the beginning, you’ve made this journey possible.

Here’s to the rest of summer – may it be filled with good weather, unforgettable moments, meaningful connections, and the joy of food that everyone can share.

A Grateful Shout-Out to Navo Consultancy

You may have noticed some fresh new visuals on our website and social media pages. We’ve been working with Navo Consultancy, who have helped us with branding and create content that better reflects the experience we aim to offer. We’re grateful for their guidance and creativity – and we hope you’re enjoying the updated look as much as we are!

How to Support Our Small Business

Small businesses like ours rely on the support of loyal customers and community members. Here are a few ways you can help us continue growing and improving:

Spread the Word: Share our social media posts, recommend us to friends and family, and invite others to visit our pop-ups.
Leave Reviews: Positive comments on Google, social media, or local forums can guide new customers our way and reinforce trust in our allergen-friendly mission.
Shop Local: Whether you drop by our Romford Market stall or visit us at an event, every purchase supports our ability to innovate and grow our range.

How You Can Stay Connected

Join Our Mailing List: Be the first to hear about new products, events, and special offers.
Follow Us on Social Media: We love chatting with you on Instagram and Facebook. You’ll find behind-the-scenes peeks, product updates, and stories from our market days.
Visit Our Online Shop: If you can’t make it to our markets, you can still enjoy our gluten-free, vegan treats delivered right to your door across the UK.
Reach Out: Got questions, ideas, or just want to say hello? Drop us an email anytime. We’d love to hear from you.