Friday 28 February 2014

Congratulations Chessington

Chessington Garden Centre's cafe has won joint Best Destination Garden Centre Restaurant 2014.  Owner Jolyon's passionate leadership plus manager Caroline's attention to detail is a winning combination (plus it may help being one of our long standing clients).  They have taken the Cafe Tour, use us to audit the operation every year and always strive to get from very good to great.

Thursday 27 February 2014

Adapt

Adapted cutlery available at the National Trust's headquarters cafe in Swindon.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Reuse:Recycle

Waste bin made out of ventilation ducting at Timberyard.
Rocking and folding chair from goodness knows where at Timberyard.


Tuesday 25 February 2014

Timberyard Two

 Timberyard at Seven Dials know how to present food that sells itself.
 Oranges used to hold the merchandising tickets and provide some colour.
Hazelnut Brownie Hearts for Valentine's.


Monday 24 February 2014

Working for the Revolution

 Street Food at Canary Wharf last week
Check out the latest apps, awards and operators in Street Food at http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/

Friday 21 February 2014

1,000 Strong

The Beach Cafe at Wells-next-the-Sea has just signed up the 1,000th dog owner/cafe customer to its K-9 Club and awarded its Dog of the Year (see http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/could-it-be-you.html ).  Brilliant off-season marketing by the Holkham Estate and well done to Layla.

Thursday 20 February 2014

Next Big Thing

Cannoli (brandy snaps with fillings) are the next big thing in baking according to Jo Wheatley, bakery Author and Great British Bake Off Winner 2011, speaking at the HTA's Catering Conference last week.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

£3 Mini

 Mini £3 and gourmet paninis at Illy's Regent Street Espressamente cafe.


Tuesday 18 February 2014

Save Water, Drink Wine

 Attractive branding at Squires Garden Centre cafe.
 The garden implement wall decorations are eye-catching and relevant.


Monday 17 February 2014

Coffice

The cafe office comes alive at Ziferblat in Old Street where you are charged on a pay-per-minute basis.
'Creative Working Space' is the designation (due to planning use) and both credit cards and receipts seem off the menu ('donations' please).  The self help kitchen (and washing up) is novel.

Friday 14 February 2014

Mix It Up

Jo Wheatley, bakery Author and Great British Bake Off Winner 2011, spoke at the HTA's Catering Conference of what sweet combinations are appearing:
 Townie (Tart/Brownie)

 Cragel (Croissant/Bagel)

 Crookie (Croissant/Cookie)


 Pike (Pie/Cake)

Cronuts http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/croissant-doughnuts-cronuts.html
Duffin http://greatcafes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/doughnut-muffin-duffin.html
plus Cupnut (Cupcake/Donut) and Cheeselova (Cheesecake/Pavlova)



Thursday 13 February 2014

Loose Leaf Tea Machine

Interesting and visually stunning machine to brew loose leaf tea within one minute.  Exhibited at the HTA garden centre industry's catering conference yesterday. If anyone installs one let me know the reaction; loose leaf tea is certainly the way ahead.

Monday 10 February 2014

Dreaming of Dry Cafes

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Living on the Thames flood plain has its pleasures and challenges.  Blog posting is suspended whilst we wade, row, (bake bread) and look forward to a return to normality.

Friday 7 February 2014

Holborn Humour

 Humour in Holborn at Orchard and FreeStateCoffee cafes.


Thursday 6 February 2014

Coffee Branding

 Illy coffee have a swanky fit out for their Regent Street cafe.
A tie up with Samsung and espresso cup chandelier.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Illy Latte

Caffe Latte at Illy's new cafe on Regent Street

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Jerrycan Table

Small workbench made from jerrycans at Jamie's coffee point outside the Angel building.

Monday 3 February 2014

The Angel's Share

Good Eating Company run this excellent cafe within the Angel building in St John Street just down from Angel tube.  Bravo to developer Derwent for their belief in creating ambiance, bustle and quality public space within their buildings.
 The 50p reduction on all cakes after 2.30pm is a clever way to encourage afternoon sales and ensure cakes are kept fresh.
 Hospitality mini-scones, macaroons, carrot cake whoopie pie and chocolate and pistachio tart are all made on-site.