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.

Adapt

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

Reuse:Recycle

Waste bin made out of ventilation ducting at Timberyard.

Rocking and folding chair from goodness knows where at Timberyard.

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.

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/

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.

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.

£3 Mini

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

Save Water, Drink Wine

 Attractive branding at Squires Garden Centre cafe.

 The garden implement wall decorations are eye-catching and relevant.

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.

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)

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.

Dreaming of Dry Cafes

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.

Holborn Humour

 Humour in Holborn at Orchard and FreeStateCoffee cafes.

Coffee Branding

 Illy coffee have a swanky fit out for their Regent Street cafe.

A tie up with Samsung and espresso cup chandelier.

Illy Latte

Caffe Latte at Illy's new cafe on Regent Street

Jerrycan Table

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

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.