Kelly Kemp and Dee's Doggie Den owner Dee Moore were thinking of kids and their moms when they dreamed up Bake and Play Cafe, a double-duty place in East Dallas that hosts kid parties and sells kolaches to go.
Residents of Lakewood and friends for 15 years, the two women were first inspired to create something for their children. "We wanted somewhere fabulous where they could hang out and learn," Kemp says.
But the ladies had moms in mind too. "We wanted a place where moms don't have to bring anything," Kemp says.
Other than cash. The minimum is $295 for 15 kids, ideally 8 years old and under. Partygoers get the run of the playroom, where they can decorate cakes, make their own pizzas and take home a paper chef hat. For an additional charge, the kids get cloth chef hats and coats. You can also commission Bake and Play to make invitations and thank-you cards.
"As part of the party, kids create the food and cake," Kemp says. "It's very interactive."
A typical party begins with a play session. Then it's on to the food. First comes the cake. The staff prepares the cake batter; each child gets his own bowl. The cakes are put in to bake, and the kids begin on their personal pizzas, adding sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Out come the baked cakes, in go the pizzas. While they bake, everyone decorates their Easy Bake Oven-sized cakes with organic frosting and sweet treats from the candy wall.
And just as any good parent would request, before singing "happy birthday" and eating cake, the kids eat their pizzas.
Even if you don't have kids, Bake and Play Cafe has something else that may prove to be a customer draw: a bakery-cafe with kolaches.
"It's a two-sided place," Kemp says. "Walk through another door, and you'll find bakery cases where you can grab homemade kolaches and breakfast to go." Bake and Play also intends to offer wholesome pureed meals from Half Pint Palates in Deep Ellum.
Located at 6434 E. Mockingbird Ln., at the southeast corner of Abrams Road, the cafe is slated to open in August. It'll have a full menu created by chef Jackie Blakley, served express-style with a separate seating area for in-house dining. "Our signature will be kolaches made by pastry chef Gladys Ibanez," Kemp says.
Parties are held on Saturdays and Sundays only. For reservations, call 214-801-2584.
Bake and Play Cafe offers parties for kids and a cafe for parents looking to get snacks on the go.
