Yet another example of a start-up managed by young people from different backgrounds. This time it is a cake shop called, “Berlicabarbis”, which in the local dialect means “to lick your chops”, opened – or “bissata” as they would say locally – in Turin. It was first opened in 2012 by two friends, Francesco Cravetto and Enrico Ugolotti, who decided to take over the Corso Moncalieri space and reinvent it according to their “idea of success”. The second opening this year, in Via Catania 10, saw the entry of a third partner, Ariel Canuto.
We asked Francesco Cravetto a few of the questions that most intrigued us:
In a nutshell, what is Berlicabarbis?
As we always say, it is a place for everyone, where we want everyone to feel at home. Groups of all ages come in at different times of day. In fact, we are open 7 days a week, from 7.00 am to 2.00am.
To abandon the traditional pastry classics for the Torta della Nonna is a fashion or a lasting trend?
I think it is not a passing trend. We see the appeal that our cakes have on young people, who, often after dinner, chat with friends for 3-4 hours in front of a cup of tea and a slice of cake. We therefore believe we are a viable alternative to a cocktail bar or nightclub. We offer our traditional cakes for ceremonial occasions, such as christenings, communions, baptisms, graduation parties and birthdays as well. And even those who at first were looking for a classic iced cream cake, eventually changed their minds and greatly enjoy our simple, yet delicious, cakes. Often forgotten or even unheard of, especially by children.
What are your best selling cakes?
The classic baked cakes: Chocolate and Pear, Ricotta cheese and Raspberry, or our very own Sacher cake with orange marmalade and cinnamon or other creative versions, such as the pastry stuffed with panna cotta, with a double layer of cream and chocolate or with fruit Bavarian cream, or even bunet, a typical sweet from Piedmont. We produce cakes on request in different formats that we sell at €27/kg. Eaten at the table, however, a piece of cake costs €5.00. A very recent idea that is working well is the single slice packaging.
