A RESTAURANT has weighed in on the great caterpillar cake debate that big chain supermarkets are waging over on social media- and they have even created their own version.

197 Bistro and Bar in Towneley Golf Club, Burnley, created ‘Karen the Caterpillar’ complete with an edible fringe and trainers.

They posted the photo along with the caption: “The chefs have worked really hard on this never before seen Karen the Caterpillar cake...”

People found the post hilarious, with the post receiving more than 390 likes and 50 comments.

One woman, also named Karen, wrote: “What a lovely name "Karen" you have given the caterpillar.”

Another said: “Colin is my sons favourite cake but I'm sure they'll prefer Karen.”

Natalie Stephenson is the manager of 197 Bistro and Bar in Burnley.

After seeing Aldi’s “fabulous” marketing strategy, Natalie knew she would have to contribute something to the caterpillar debate.

She said: “Hospitality needs a boost and this funny Karen cake helped us gain some more followers which we are really pleased about.

“Plus social media needs more fun and positive post.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Natalie StephensonNatalie Stephenson

Ms Stephenson said they just wanted to “jump on the bandwagon” and didn’t expect their Facebook post to take off as much as it did.

She said: “I think it’s the most likes we’ve received on Facebook this year!

“This one is from Asda and we got our chefs to pimp her a little bit and we put some eyelashes and some trainers on her.

“We’ve had so many people asking if it’s going on the menu and sadly it’s not.” 

The name Karen was inspired by the internet meme that has been circulating about people with the name.

She added: ”We thought a ‘Karen’ would definitely jump on the bandwagon of the caterpillar case.

“Also- the executive chef and my mum are called Karen so we thought we will have to go for that name.”

While Karen the caterpillar is clearly the favourite at 197 Bistro- Natalie said she is “team Cuthbert” in the caterpillar debate.

“We’re backing Cuthbert all the way,” she said.

What is the caterpillar cake debate?

For those who don’t know, the caterpillar cake debate started when M&S started legal action against Aldi for its iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake.

They claimed that the products were too similar and wanted to pull Aldi’s Cuthbert the Caterpillar from shelves.

M&S said M&S says the Cuthbert cake infringes trademark and "rides on the coat-tails" of the Colin cake.

However, Aldi poked fun at the company taking to social media which started the #FreeCuthbert campaign.

(Twitter/ @AldiUK)

On Twitter, they wrote: “This is not just any court case, this is... #FreeCuthbert”

They also went on to post several joke tweets, including a sketch of Cuthbert standing trial in a court room.

(Twitter/ @AldiUK)

Aldi also posted a picture of Cuthbert’s new packaging, which showcases him behind bars.

(Twitter/ @AldiUK)

Aldi even tweeted a message of defiance to Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda who also sell animal-themed log cakes, writing: "Cecil, Wiggles, Curly, Clyde. We got you."

Other supermarkets have also weighed in on the caterpillar cake debate.

Morrisons felt that their Morris cake had been left out of the discussion.


(Twitter/@Morrisons)

Replying to Aldi, they wrote: “When you find out your friends have a group chat without you #whataboutMorris.“

Lidl Ireland shared a snap of their legal team’s search history.


(Photo: Twitter/ @lidl_ireland)

Multinational brewery and pub chain, Brew Dog, also weighed in on the caterpillar cake debate.

 

(Twitter/@BrewDog)

They wrote: “Cuthbert the Caterpale Ale? #FreeCuthbert”

What do you think about Karen the caterpillar cake? Leave your response in the comment section.