Hofcafé Alt-Bruch

Hofcafé Alt-Bruch owners from left, Marlene and sisters Margarete, Luise and Inge, display their delicious homemade cakes. Hofcafé Alt-Bruch has been baking for their customers for more than 20 years.

It’s something about the people I meet, that inspires me to take their photograph. They may have an interesting face, a friendly smile or a good personality; someone you enjoy talking with, and many times, you may never see them again. But they make a lasting impression on you, one you'll remember forever.

Such is the case with the owners of the Hofcafé Alt-Bruch (Old Courtyard Café) in Nettetal, Germany, a country café known far and wide for their absolutely wonderful cakes and Sunday brunch. The owners are three sisters Margarete, Luise and Inge, and their good friend Marlene. And they inspired me with their friendly smiles and happy personalities.

I learned of the Hofcafé Alt-Bruch while photographing a tractor caravan traveling through the German countryside. On their business card it reads, “rural, cozy and delicious”. That’s an understatement, it could have easily described the owners as, “friendly, happy and great bakers”.

Now, about the cakes!

They bake 21 different kinds of cake, depending on the season. Butter Cream, Chocolate Cream, Black Forest, Strawberry Mascarpone, Peach Passion Fruit, Gooseberry, Plum, Apple and many more. They even have their own apple tree out front for fresh apples. I can only imagine how many cakes they’ve baked since 2003, hundreds if not thousands. And they give you the largest pieces I’ve ever been served. Then there’s the Sunday brunch, a traditional German buffet with meats, cheeses, rolls and pastries.

The sisters used to be farmers, growing vegetables and raising pigs. Then in 2003, they opened the Hofcafé Alt-Bruch, because of their joy of baking. The recipes were passed down from their mother and grandmother, and they say the ideas for new cakes come to them in dreams and the recipes follow.

I asked them what makes a good customer? They said, “people who are friendly and sympathetic”. Some customers have been coming to the Hofcafé Alt-Bruch for more than 20 years; it must be because of the delicious cakes, good food, cozy German atmosphere, and of course Marlene and sisters Margarete, Luise and Inge. That’s quite a combination for success.

"If it weren't for the farmer, then we wouldn't have any bread"

I just want to know the secret of how to dream about cakes!