Chestnuts; Summer's over

It's finally autumn and the Recipease cafe in Brighton captures the season perfectly

New Products at Lunch!

Toblerone pastries - a triangular pain au chocolate - from Delice de France and a new natural energy drink 'Pussy' - shades of Mrs Slocum - seen at the Lunch! contemporary food to go show.

High Speed Panini

Great panini presentation at Chessington Garden Centre's new Sedum cafe restaurant and they are using Electrolux's High Speed Grill as seen at Pret.  The kit is not cheap but allows you to serve a panini/toastie within 60 seconds.

























For details see http://tools.professional.electrolux.com/Mirror/Doc/MAD/ELECTROLUX/English/PA0001.pdf

Flavoured Water

I have always maintained cafes should be profitable given they sell mainly flavoured water (tea, coffee and soup) and flour (scones, cakes and cookies).  Jelly fits the bill perfectly and helps with the calorie count.  Red Cherry Berry Jelly at EAT.

Tea Witch

Stick it in the spout of a teapot and it stops the tea leaves (and calcium) coming out.  Tracked down from an initial sighting at St John Bread & Wine  and available from a rather good new outfit called Jenier Teas www.jenierteas.com

Loose leaf tea is not found very often - teabag tea is just so much less mess - but it carries a huge quality premium and cachet.



See post http://greatcafes.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-pot-spouts-strainers.html

Learn To Bake Like A Pro

Anthony's basement piazza in Leeds' Corn Exchange features lots of alcoves with a culinary surprise in each - a working bakery being just one.  The 'Learn To Bake Like a Pro' course especially appealed.

Ice Cream Station

Squire's Garden Centre at Badshot Lea has a new 350-seat cafe with an idea borrowed from Pizza Hut - the kids love it.