Crystal Cafe

Sodexo Prestige operate the cafe in The Crystal http://www.thecrystal.org/_html/about/about.html - a stunning new sustainable conference centre and exhibition building in East London.  Check out the adjacent Emirates Air Line cable car across the Thames which links the Crystal to the O2 arena.

Packaging and display is well thought through

Clear recycing messages

Seaweed Thins

 Clever Julian Metcalfe of Itsu and Pret fame is right on the money and calories.

He promises more innovative snacks are on the way.  After the success of popcorn and rice cakes he is most definitely one to watch.

 Taste good too.

Frittata & Gustoso

Butternut Squash & Feta Frittata at Pret

Olive & Parmesan and Sauteed Leek & Wild Thyme 'Gustoso' savoury muffins at Harrods

Ham, Leeks & Peas Frittata by Searcys at National Portrait Gallery Cafe

Who needs Cocaine or Caffeine when you can have Chris on Cafés?

"It’s now 5.04 am and I have yet to sleep this night. I have 132 ideas, mostly now written on pieces of paper, drawn out on sheets of A4 and A3, jotted down in Notes on my mobile and yet still my brain will not rest.

It was a whirlwind tour of the fourth wave but I am cresting on my very own current of creativity. It was a menu of brick walls, exposed ceilings, handbags on string and cheese in drawers; container malls, concrete floors and graffiti walls; toasters on tables, letraset signs and corker cakes in colourful creative curls. Who could forget the smell of coffee roasting or the sight of pallets floating? The taste of a fougasse at Albion or a brownie at Paul Young’s?

It was inspiring, stimulating, exhilarating. I am buzzing with ideas – and some far removed from what we saw – and I think I only had 2 coffees. Think on this: I have had no sleep. I have lots of ideas.  My poor staff.

Thank you, Chris. And good morning."

Wonderful quote from recent London Cafe Tour participant Jane Cox, Owner

Glendoick Garden Centre, Restaurant & Food Library
Garden Centre Cafe of the Year 2009/10

Cakehole in the Wall

Guest Spot

Sarah Heward, owner of the Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, reports on a cupcake-in-the-wall machine in Glasgow.  The Bakery ATM by Bradfords Bakers sells flavours Irn-Bru and Malteser Mint Medley at £2.50 a time.

Curious Juices

Guanabana from Juna fruits - watermelon size, pineapple-like texture with an unique aroma!

Pret's more conventional Apple, Gooseberry & Raspberry

Free Cuppa

The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum is a hugely successful roadside diner (formerly an unloved Little Chef) and they sell their personalised travel mug for £8.50.  Clever idea to include free coffee or tea on every visit.