Fairy Cakes plans vegan, nut-free cupcake shop in Vancouver

Ever eaten a vegan ham and cheese cupcake?

Me neither. This, however, is likely to change in a few months.

That’s because Cera Rivers, a 34-year-old Burnaby resident, is preparing to start up Fairy Cakes, Vancouver’s first vegan cupcake shop. A singer and actor who recently finished the self-employment program at Douglas College, Rivers has been making cupcakes for five years.

Rivers told the Straight today (June 27) that she’s found a location in Mount Pleasant, hopes to sign a lease in the next few weeks, and would like to open her shop in September.

Everything at Fairy Cakes will be free of dairy, eggs, honey, and nuts—except for coconuts, which are technically fruits—and therefore suitable for people with vegan diets, lactose intolerance, and peanut allergies. Rivers also plans to use organic and fair trade ingredients as much as possible.

“I’m very conscious of people’s eating choices, whether it’s by choice or through allergies and intolerances,” Rivers, who’s a long-time vegan herself, said by phone. “Because I have a restricted food diet, I’m very conscious of how people do feel deprived of foods. There is no reason that we should be deprived of any food anymore.”

When the shop opens, it will serve up 10 types of sweet cupcakes and one savory treat every day.

The sweet offerings will include vanilla with pina colada, blueberry, chocolate, or cinnamon, and chocolate with chocolate, strawberry, mint, or mocha. On the savory side, in addition to the vegan ham and cheese, Rivers is perfecting shrimp and garlic, and basil and tomato cupcakes.

Rivers plans to take special orders and offer custom decorating. With all the possible combinations, she said over 300 different kinds of cupcakes will be available.

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