Heavenly Desserts, the award-winning dessert parlour founded on the owner’s belief in the universality of the ‘sweet tooth’, is a buzzing social hub.

Raised into a snug corner of the street in London Road, Headington, this dessert haven offers a warm, welcoming setting for all its customers.

Oxford Mail: Waitress next to the ice cream trays at Heavenly Desserts, Headington

Myself and my guest were greeted at the door by a waitress, beaming a smile backdropped by flowered wallpaper, marble-effect tables and a bar unit filled with multicoloured ice cream.

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Led to a comfy, spacious dining area on a platform at the back of the parlour, plush leather seats now beneath us, we began rifling through the menu.

The ‘croffle’ page caught my eye. Firstly, because it was something I’d never heard of before, and secondly because the options – which included Nutella, Lotus Biscoff, white chocolate and many other delectable toppings – were irresistible.

I ordered the Lotus Biscoff and white chocolate croffle (croissant waffle) for mains, my guest and I shared dark chocolate and Nutella doughnuts for starters, and we also enjoyed a hot chocolate each with all the toppings, and – as recommended by our waitress, milk cake.

All the dishes were light and fluffy, as opposed to the stodgy desserts you can sometimes get at dessert parlours. Even after all this, I didn’t feel uncomfortably full.

The owner of Heavenly Desserts – a former accountant named Muhammad Rafique – received a Great British Franchisee Award for his passion and diligence.

Oxford Mail: A spread of delectable desserts at Heavenly Desserts, Headington

I chatted with him after finishing my delicious desserts.

He said: “I’m really honoured to have received the award, but it’s the teams' work that deserves the accolade. My manager Sebastian Cardoso is the key player in this award, and the team have been incredibly helpful.”

I was intrigued by the lively, social atmosphere him and his team seem to have conduced in the parlour.

I asked Mr Rafique about it. He said: “This is a very exciting place to work, and I think that comes through to the customers.

“We see diners from all different backgrounds. They share happiness with us. The team are like a family too.

“We spend birthdays together, go out and enjoy meals, order food in once or twice a week together; I spend more time here than I do at home.”

Next I wanted to know why 35-year-old Mr Rafique, also known as Sheraz, wanted to get into the desserts business.

Oxford Mail: Muhammad Rafique, owner of Heavenly Desserts, Headington, with his wife Sammer, son Mustafa and

He said: “The UK has a very diverse culture, with lots of different backgrounds. Some people like spicy food, some like fried…everybody has different taste buds.

“But the one thing that seems to be universal, is a love for dessert. I wanted to open something for everyone, and sweetness is something everybody can share.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1