It is a busy time at Karen’s in Tavistock, where proprietor Karen Kestrell is rolling out pastry ready for mince pies. Karen is marking nine years of running her business on Saturday (November 13).

She started her business on Brook Street with a legacy from her aunt Doris.

‘She worked in Selfridges and she ran their five restaurants and when she died she left me her house,’ she said. ‘She also always wanted to run her own place.’

So, with her legacy, Karen (pictured right) decided to start her own coffee shop and restaurant, having worked in various catering establishments in Tavistock over the years.

She built the business up from scratch, to the point where today she is super busy much of the time and employs a manager, freeing her up to cook and cook and cook.

‘It has got busier over time,’ she says. ‘When we first started we were twiddling our thumbs but we have gradually got a reputation for our cakes and natural foods. We do everything from a scone to a sponge, fruit cakes, carrot cakes and lemon meringue pies. And I make 400 Christmas cakes every year in the run up to Christmas.

‘My Christmas cakes go all over the country.’

Karen’s manager Sam Meehan (left) shows off the Christmas cakes, which come in three sizes. One regular customer comes in every year to order them to send to her family in Sweden.

’When people ask what’s in them, I say brandy and love,’ says Karen.

Karen is an amazing cook. And she sets herself very high standards. Everything she cooks, from stuffing to pastry to lemon meringue pie, is cooked from scratch. Her roast dinners are also legendary and served every Sunday.

‘It has gone from strength to strength,’ she said. ‘Especially after lockdown, our cake list has got bigger and we have got a selection of gluten free and dairy free cakes as well as vegan ones.

‘I come in at six o’clock in the morning and stay until five o’clock and the way I look at it is that if I’m here I might as well be open.’

Karen is chatting as she rolls out pasty for her mince pies. In the run up to Christmas, she makes literally hundreds. ‘I don’t count them,’ she saysd.

These mince pies are destined for Dickensian Evening on Friday, December 3 when Karen’s will be open and serving the mince pies and mulled wine laced with brandy.

All the money she raises on Dickensian Evening will go to Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Karen herself has the inflammatory disease and she wants to raise money and awareness.

‘Nobody likes to talk about Crohn’s and Colitis because it is an inflammatory disease of the bowel and this way we can get the word out,’ she said.

Karen’s cakes are legendary. Her bestseller is her coffee cake.

You can take them home as well as enjoy them on the premises and there are some great deals. Five slices for £11 is a takeaway deal or four desserts for £11.

If you fancy eating in, meanwhile, there is a deal on for tea or coffee and sponge cake for £4.50.

Karen’s is just next door to chain coffee shop Costa Coffee on Brook Street, but she reckons she gives them a run for their money.

‘They were there before me. Everyone said “you are not going to last” but nine years on I’m still here!’

Karen’s is at 42 Brook Street, Tavistock PL19 0HE. To mark Karen’s’ ninth birthday, all orders will receive 20% off on Saturday, November 13 on presenting a copy of this newspaper.