FOOD + ENTERTAINING
Formerly the executive pastry chef for The Fig Tree Restaurant , Samantha Allen left that position to open
Wentworth & Fenn , a unique bakery that creates wedding cakes , special event cakes , and custom pastries that are sold out of a 1961 Shasta Camper , named Selma , and a storefront location at Camp North End . Samantha was named Best Pastry Chef in Charlotte for 2017 . She traveled to New York to bake at the legendary James Beard House and received a 2016 James Beard nomination for Best Pastry Chef of the East Coast Region .
Cassie , the other half of Wentworth & Fenn , is the brains behind the Shasta Camper remodel . Her vision brought to life the camper storefront that makes W & F pastries available all over Charlotte . She is also head of marketing and branding for the company . In addition to her position at the bakery , she currently works in one of the top custom car shops in the Charlotte / Concord area .
THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE EVER
Serves 24
Our cake was created by the talented Sam Allen of Wentworth & Fenn . If you choose to make your own instead , this recipe is aptly named and my absolute favorite for a perfectly moist and luscious chocolate cake .
2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon espresso powder , storebought or homemade
1 cup milk or buttermilk , almond , or coconut milk
½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil , or melted coconut oil
2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ( see recipe on page 93 )
SPRING 2021 91