Ever since Alison Pearson's heroine took a rolling pin to her M&S mince pies to distress them for her child's school open day in the brilliant novel "I Don't Know How She Does It", it has been impossible to pass off any professionally made cakes or biscuits as being from your own hand.
But fear not: a bag of Sweetie Pie cakes, pies and sweet loaves are so gloriously hand-made, so abidingly domestic, that you effectively could claim them as your own work. If you were a really good baker, that is.
Now, this may seem unfair to Jennifer Griffin and Maureen Foley, whose bakery sells to 11 different outlets in and around Galway, but it is truly the highest compliment we can pay these lovely apple pies, yummy scones and other delights. "We do the best mince pies with homemade mincemeat at Christmas", says Jennifer, so west coast food lovers are sorted for that staple of the Xmas feast. You will find these lovely things, packaged in the simplest style, in Galway shops such as McCambridge's, Centras in Clarinbridge and Carnmore, Grace's Londis in Loughrea and Centra Craughwell. Nestor's Supervalu and other good stores.
Contact Jennifer and Maureen on Tel: 091 846640.
