download issue 20 - Copenhagen Exclusive

Exquisite little works of art
As Denmark’s first bakery dedicated to cupcakes, Agnes
Cupcakes uses original Danish recipes with as many organic
ingredients as possible, such as Fair Trade bananas and the
finest chocolate, with flavors ranging from sweet so spicy,
like ginger zing, pistachio and licorice, which appeal to a
broad range of people - including men. Describing the demographics,
Vangsgaard sites “65% women and 35% men,
sometimes we have 98% men in the shop.” Not to mention
celebrities such as John Cleese, the singer Medina, various actors
and members of the royal family. “Queen Margrethe has
ordered them several times for her afternoon tea in Tivoli,”
smiles Vangsgaard, who stays extremely attuned to customers’
needs. In fact, he’s expanding kitchen on Sværtegade to
a larger, open kitchen where you can arrange to have friends
come and bake cupcakes for bachelorette parties, birthdays
and the like.
Agnes Cupcakes is an excellent example of Denmark becoming
a global player, not just importing ideas but exporting
them, as well. Vangsgaard sees the export of products and
concepts as “exploding over the next five years. High quality
ideas are in demand, especially if you keep the concept
clear and simple.” With two shops in Copenhagen opening
within the first year and three more in the works, Vangsgaard
has already targeted Hamburg, Germany for the second quarter
of 2012, with the intention of opening 10 to 20 shops in
2012 and a goal of 55 shops by 2013. Outrageously ambitious
for some, but realistic for a truly visionary entrepreneur like
Vangsgaard. What’s more, he’s keen on corporate consciousness
and keeping a CSR profile. “Be a good boss to your staff,
help them out all you can and think about the environment,”
adds Vangsgaard. “We only use FSC certified packaging and
we support UNICEF, cancer organizations and charities as
well as culture, art and film.”
An idea man and entrepreneur with a sixth sense about people,
products and experiences, Vangsgaard previously introduced
the idea of Rent-A-Mini to Denmark, appealing to
tourists and business people alike. Having mastered cars and
cupcakes, what type of new business venture can we look forward
to seeing from him in the future? He’s already launched
a New York City styled bakery called Laura’s Bakery with a
Danish and French touch, based on old school traditions
and preservative-free recipes. Freshly made delights such as
sourdough breads, scones, cornbread, cheesecakes, crumbles
and food pies. Also designed by Johannes Torpe, it’s located
in Torvehallerne, Copenhagen’s posh new food emporium.
Looking further ahead, “I’m working on a luxury café concept
called Darleens and an Italian gourmet pizza concept,”
reveals Vangsgaard. “And then I want to make films.” Kristian,
if anyone can, you can. We’ll bring the cupcakes if you save us
front-row-center seats. Until then, feel free to indulge yourself
in a luxurious mouth-watering experience from any of
the fashionably sweet boutiques around Copenhagen.