New Bedford business delivers sin-free vegan cheesecakes to frontline workers

When Dani Zargel set up his business earlier this year - devising sugar free, nut free, gluten free, vegan cheesecakes - little did he know the world was about to change.

The company - Kambee, which is Japanese for sweet and luscious - had started delivering the desserts to hotels and restaurants around Mayfair.

But with the first lockdown, the 49-year-old had to change tack and set about making cheesecakes for frontline workers, including A&E, schools and the police during the pandemic - as well as home-bases deliveries.

"I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on the frontline," said the father-of-two.

The Marston Moretaine-based business makes and delivers individual, large and party-size cheesecakes. You can just jump on Kambee's website and place an order whenever you get that craving for something sweet.

But why vegan and why desserts?

Dani, who even battled Covid during the first lockdown, said: "I had lived in the US and the food was toxic, full of sugar. I thought 'I'm going to do something I'm proud of, for my kids'.

"I went for desserts because there wasn't anyone else doing cheesecakes - there was a gap in the market," added the lifelong vegetarian.

"I’ve really positioned the business as a health-focused dessert company - sounds odd but it’s true. I don’t use any refined sugars, instead I’ve reworked all the recipes to make use of plant-based, zero/low calories alternatives that have nutritional value.

"I’m also very focused on making sure that people who suffer from allergies or intolerances can enjoy my products without compromise too so they are gluten free, sugar free, nut free."

Dani - who trained as a chef - even ran his creations by a world-class French chef who gave it his seal of approval.

"The feedback has been phenomenal. There is no sugar but it's a secret recipe, it's bean-based with no nuts."

Some of the cakes on offer include a Eton Mess cheesecake, dark chocolate, key lime and lemon and ginger.

Anyone with a serious sweet tooth who doesn't want the guilt, can visit Kambee's website here