Chris Wakelin is preparing for another major test on the snooker table, but it is not just the prospect of silverware that has him excited about returning to Cheltenham.
The Englishman is also looking forward to one of the city’s culinary highlights — its famous cinnamon buns.
Wakelin is set to compete in the 2026 Unibet British Open, which gets underway at Cheltenham Racecourse on August 31 and runs through September 6. The tournament is often described as snooker’s equivalent of the FA Cup because of its unusual draw format, which can produce blockbuster clashes between big names at any stage.
The 34-year-old heads into the competition as the world No.12 and will begin his campaign against Belgian star Luca Brecel. Wakelin is aiming to add another ranking title to his career after previously lifting two ranking trophies.
However, his enthusiasm for returning to Cheltenham extends beyond the baize.
Wakelin has revealed that one of his favourite memories of visiting the town involves a cinnamon bun from Moran’s Eating House. The snooker star was so impressed that he placed the pastry among the three best things he has ever eaten.
“One of my favourite things I’ve ever eaten was a cinnamon bun from a place called Moran’s Eating House in the middle of Cheltenham,” Wakelin said.
“It was honestly in the top three things I’ve ever eaten.”
The snooker star even explained that he has developed something of a routine whenever he visits the area, making a beeline for the bakery in search of the popular treat.
He joked that fans hoping to try the same buns should get there early because they can sell out quickly.
“Every time I go to Cheltenham that’s where I make a beeline for,” he said. “If you aren’t there before 11am, then you can wave goodbye to those cinnamon buns as they sell, like they say, like hotcakes.”
While the cinnamon buns provide an entertaining side story, Wakelin knows the real challenge will come on the table.
The British Open’s FA Cup-style format means players do not know their potential route through the tournament in advance. A player can therefore find themselves facing a former world champion or another leading contender much earlier than expected.
Wakelin admitted that the format can be particularly difficult for highly ranked players because there are dangerous opponents waiting in every round.
“For the top 16 and top 32, it becomes a bit of a minefield,” he explained.
“In every single round you could be playing former world champions, former world No.1s and current tournament winners.”
The British Open will bring the World Snooker Tour back to the UK following a run of three consecutive events in China.
For Wakelin, the tournament offers another opportunity to challenge for silverware — while perhaps finding time to enjoy one of Cheltenham’s most highly praised cinnamon buns.
With a tough opening match against Brecel awaiting him, Wakelin will hope the combination of experience, confidence and perhaps a little pastry-fuelled motivation can help him make another deep run in snooker’s FA Cup.If you want, I can also turn this into a and a stronger newspaper-style headline.more dramatic 800-word version
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