Beloved local and national institution The Bakewell Tart Shop has today unveiled a revolutionary new software solution designed to give customers with any eating allergy, intolerance, or dietary preference a safer and more confident dining experience.
Curated Menus, developed by Curated Menu Software Ltd on behalf of The Bakewell Tart Shop, will be fully live in the popular Bakewell café and store from Friday 16th May and is also available for other hospitality venues to license under a Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement.
Duncan Kirk, Managing Director of both The Bakewell Tart Shop and Curated Menu Software Ltd, explains:
“As a long-standing food retailer, I’ve seen first-hand how complex and stressful dining out can be for people with allergies, intolerances, or ingredient sensitivities. So many customers are navigating risks beyond the standard 14 allergens recognised by UK law – from garlic and onions to tomatoes and red meat. We built Curated Menus to give them a safer, smarter, and more empowering experience. This software doesn’t just benefit our guests – it’s a game-changer for the hospitality industry, and we’re proud to now offer it to other venues.”
Currently, allergy management in hospitality often relies on staff manually checking labels, consulting the kitchen, and relaying information between customer, wait staff and chefs. With Curated Menus, customers simply input their allergens, intolerances, or general dislikes on a tablet. The software then instantly generates a personalised menu:
- Showing all dishes that are safe for that individual
- Clearly marking those that can be safely customised (e.g. removing a dressing or swap)
- Giving guests complete transparency and reassurance before they order
For example, if a guest is allergic to garlic, the software will ask them to confirm whether it’s all forms (e.g. fresh garlic, garlic powder, garlic purée), then only shows dishes excluding those ingredients or customisable versions with them removed. It also works with multiple exclusions and dietary preferences – offering diners an efficient, reassuring solution.
Benefits to hospitality businesses include:
- Reduced risk from human error and miscommunication
- Faster service, saving time on back-and-forth between front of house and kitchen
- Improved customer satisfaction, leading to higher return rates and stronger word-of-mouth
- Better sales, as diners can see more safe options and feel confident ordering
The Bakewell Tart Shop is the first venue in the UK to offer the system. A much-loved family-owned business, it was the first to sell Bakewell Tarts commercially and has been producing them for over 100 years using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. Known for its distinctive frangipane mixture that results in a moister, more flavourful tart, the shop continues to draw visitors from across the UK and overseas, with a strong online following and shipping service.
Curated Menu Software Ltd is now inviting expressions of interest from cafés, pubs, restaurants, schools, and catering groups keen to licence the technology and offer their own customers a safer, more inclusive dining experience.
