History of Ninhams
Ninhams is a local producer of traditional Norfolk cake mixes. We are proud to be able to say that because each cake mix is made to a very old traditional recipe no artificial additives, preservatives, colourings or salt is used in them.
"When you buy a Ninhams cake mix you are buying a little piece of Norfolk history."
The Ninham name is a famous old Norwich name and has given Norfolk both bakers and painters. John Ninham (1754-1817) was a heraldic painter and engraver. His son Henry (1793-1874) went on to become an even greater artist and was a Norwich man through and through.
Norwich was built on money from shoes, mustard, machinery, beer and many other products, but it was also the home of some of the best loved cake mixes in the land. From Land's End to John O'Groats the country once feasted on cakes and other goodies produced by Ninhams of Norwich.
It was Henry Christian Ninham who went into the cake baking business and got the city of Norwich munching. He went on to establish the National Works of Ninham & Son, Baking Powder Manufacturers, at the top of Ber Street. He produced a range of cake mixes that thousands bought, not only in Norwich, but across the rest of the country.
In the 1960's Ninhams was bought by a national company, however, the parent company suffered with the recession of the 1980's and collapsed. At this point the Ninhams name and recipes were bought by a member of staff and were kept alive as a 'cottage industry' supplying a few local retailers.
Ninhams has been given a new lease of life by a Norfolk family. Emma Bussey now owns and manages the company, with assistance given by her mother, Frances, who remembers enjoying the mixes herself as a girl.
Emma was born in Norwich, grew up in Norfolk and has lived in the city for many years. She has many fond memories of her mother and grandmother using Ninhams cake mixes, particularly the famous Ninhams Norfolk Cheese Cake.
"We are very proud to be responsible for rekindling local interest in this traditional Norfolk favourite and have already spoken to so many people who have such fond memories of Ninhams."