Tam's Tall Tales

- Tunnock's Tea Cakes





The Sweet Taste of Games Success
Tunnock's sales got a good boost after their iconic teacake featured in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Waitrose supermarket said in the 24 hours following the ceremony, sales of the chocolate-coated marshmallow snack rose by 62%.

Spokesman David Jones said: "The sudden demand isn't something we anticipated…..We usually expect to see people marking major sporting events with a barbecue or a beer with friends and family.



Tunnock's, who are based in Uddingston, seven miles to the south-east of Glasgow city centre were understandably pleased. A spokesman said they had no idea the ceremony would feature dancing teacakes, although they had given permission for their iconic image to be used. "We were blown away by the exposure, and we felt quite humbled that the producers of the ceremony felt that the brand merited that exposure." The picture here of their Uddingston factory is by G Laird, via Wikimedia Commons.

Tunnock's was founded by Thomas Tunnock in 1890.It operated only as a baker and purveyor of "quality flour confectionery" until the 1950s when it created the now well-loved caramel wafers, snowballs, caramel logs and teacakes. It remains in family control.

One of the giant teacakes used in the opening ceremony fetched a tasty £1,605 when it was sold off after the games. Over 10,000 props were auctioned, with the proceeds being used to offset the cost of the Games.

One contributor to a newspaper blog on the Tunnock media blitz was in good form. 'Circlesonic' wrote:

I know it was probably down to practical considerations, but I'd far rather that the ceremony had celebrated the once and future king of the Tunnock's portfolio: the Caramel Wafer (picture via Wikimedia Commons). Yes, I suppose it would be easier to turn around in a Teacake costume than a Caramel Wafer one, but for me, the Wafer reigns supreme in the choccy-biccy stakes.

Should Alex Salmond be seeking additional leverage in any post-Yes environment haggling with Westminster, I hope he doesn't consider slapping an export ban on the gold-and-red bars (or, heaven forefend, the blue-and-gold plain-chocolate variant [drool]) south of Hadrian's Wall. If it ever came to that, within a fortnight I'd be kneeling at the border, begging for the Tunnock's trucks to return. Please, we'll do anything, etc.


Tam O'Ranter
May 2014

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