Ooo, What A Night!

What a night, indeed. Salvation's 1st birthday party went with a bang, thanks to live music from A Month Of Sundays (thank you, Nick), free-flowing cider (courtesy of my husband) and Elderflower Prosseco (thanks, Col!). Not to forget the fine feast of lamb and date patties (thanks Pops), delicious quiches (thanks Jen!) and abundant delights from the Salvation Kitchen. Winner of the night? Hannah's Coconut Macaroons (the last of which almost caused a punch-up).



We had all planned to say a few words, but a combination of the cider and having-too-much-fun resulted in a rather rushed speech from me, so I'd like to post the 'official' thank-you list here, to make it proper and all that!




Thank You's!

"A million thank you's from the bottom of Salvation's enormous heart to Our Army - an indisposable group of people who have helped Salvation become the cafe it is today....

Paul J: For his intrinsic understanding of who we are and what Salvation is about, giving us our visual identity.


Rachel Graff: For wonderfully quirky cakes and bloody hard work.

Mum: For more delicious cakes and spotless washing up!

Dad Creese: For fetching and carrying, heading up the veggie garden and planting our floral fancies.



Popsy: For teaching me to cook in the first place! Also for helping in the Salvation kitchen at Baynhams and lots of wise, wise words.

David and Nick: For their dedication to Salvation lunches, fetching and carrying and for keeping a keen eye on the car park at all times...

Sue: for stepping in when needed and loving our chocolate cake!

Reass: For his gorgeous fence outside and all his Father Skpimas finds!

Paula: For looking after my children so I can be at the cafe!



Holly and Laura: For all their hard work and being so lovely to work with.

Hannah: For gorgeous cakes and being a great friend.

A big thank you to all of our suppliers who help us offer the best produce and products available.

We'd also like to thank all of our customers who have supported us over the last 12 months - you are a pleasure to serve and we hope that you have enjoyed Salvation as much as we enjoy having you here! Special mentions go to:




Anna: for staggering loyalty week-on-week, only missing us if she's out of the county!

Susie&Viv: For constant support and enjoyable conversation (read: gossip)!

Nick and T: our favourite not-for-profit customers!

The Bubbles girls: For joining us for lunch, and when you can't get here, ordering takeaways.

Thank you to all of our takeaway customers; we value you just as much as the ones who make it in".

So that was the 'official' speech; but of course, there's one glaring omission. I want to thank my husband, because without him, Salvation would have remained but a dream. He continually supports me, through thick and thin, good times and bad, and his faith in me seems to be unwaivering (even when I begin to doubt myself). His exceptional eye for detail is what makes Salvation such a beautiful place - so many people assume that the design of the cafe is down to me: actually, it's all Pete. What a man what a man what a man, he's a mighty mighty good man. A mighty mighty good man.



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BIRTHDAY BUNTING

Happy Birthday to us! We are ONE, and to celebrate, we'll be having a bit of a knees up at the cafe this Saturday, from 5. It's our way of saying 'thank you' to all of our lovely customers, friends and family who have supported us over the last 12 months. Make mine a large one- I think I've earnt it!



Thanks a million gazillions to the super-talented, outrageously handsome (he reads the blog, so this is getting me brownie points!) Paul who made the bunting (not that he's after any commissions!).



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

SUMMER LOVIN'

Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again....Not really. Last night, I cooked a beef stew. It was absolutely delicious (it's one of those fail-safe recipes that I turn to time and time again). No, the flavour wasn't the problem. The problem was the fact that the last time I cooked it, was on a very cold, wet February afternoon. And as we looked out of our windows at the grey, thunderous clouds overhead, I just couldn't get my head around the fact that it's JUNE. And then my phone beeped, and a long-awaited text from my fishmonger lifted my spirits in an instant:

'Samphire's in'.

Oh, Joy of Joys!! Samphire has to be my favourite seasonal veg. It's the one that I hanker after from mid-May onwards. Don't get me wrong - raised in the Vale of Evesham a love of Asparagus is in my blood, but there is something so very special about Samphire. The tenderness of the young stems, the vibrancy of a summer green and that smell, that smell!! As Max gave me the tray to examine, it was like being stood on the coastline, seaspray splashing my face. So guess what's coming on to the menu this week, peeps?!

With the arrival of Samphire, we're implememnting our next seasonal menu change. My favourite sea-asparagus will be joining smoked mackerel and creamy horseradish dressing on a sourdough bruschetta. Another newbie on the bruschetta menu is our oak roasted salmon with crushed broad beans, peas and mint, drizzled with a watercress mayonnaise. Yum!!

One of last year's favourite's - Fennel Crumble - is making a welcome return, and this year we're using gluten-free flour, so as not to exclude anyone from its utter loveliness. And we've developed a new Turkey Pattie - flatter, thinner and larger than our meatballs, made with spices, fresh mint and coriander. Delicious in our cones or as part of a salad plate.

Our lovely Laura had something of an epiphany last week, when she married the lemon and garlic chicken with our grilled halloumi and popped it in to one of our cones. It is currently my favourite lunch, and I highly recommend it to our take-away customers who might fancy a bit of a change...

We are becoming more and more aware of special dietary requirements and are therefore trying to adapt our menu to enable us to serve everyone (we believe that good food is there to be enjoyed by all!). We are vigilantly examining the products that we use, and where possible, we will always try and adapt a recipe to suit as many folk as possible, as long as the taste is not jeopardised as a result. We are currently awaiting some sample gluten-free falafels, and the lovely lady at the Bran Tub, Malvern, is keeping an eye out for corn/gluten-free tortillas. We love to hear about new products so do get in touch if you can make any recommendations.

All of this yummy new food on our menu should be reason enough to pay us a visit, but for the creatively-inclined amongst you, don't forget that we are being joined by Kathleen of Murgatroyd and Bean this Friday, with her 'Felt Menagerie' hand embroidery workshop. Get in touch if you'd like us to reserve your place.

TWITCHY FINGERS?

...Then you'll be delighted to hear that we've pinned down Kathleen ('scuse the pun!) for some workshop dates in June!  Fancy yourself some fabric-y fun, cracking company and tuition from a black-belt in embroidery?  Then you'd best get these dates in your diary and confirm your booking with us, pronto!

The workshops will take place on the following Fridays between 10am - 12pm:

1) Friday 15th June: 'Felt Menagerie' 

 

 

Begin your very own zoo with a pocket-sized animal made from Felt.

2) Friday 22nd June: 'Thorny Joe'

 

 

Have fun learning how to make a 3d cactus pincushion stitched by hand complete with it's own terracotta pot.

3) Friday 29th June: 'Garden in a Hoop'

 

 

 

 Make merry with handstitch, vintage fabric scraps and an embroidery hoop to create a framed piece of stitchery with a floral theme.

Each session will cost £20 (which includes all materials) or you can book a place on all three sessions for £52.  To book a place please contact:

 

kathleen@murgatroydandbean.co.uk or Helen Creese at cafesalvation@gmail.com.  

 

  Booking is essential as places are limited and can be reserved for you with a 50% deposit.

 

1. Felt Menagerie Workshop: Friday 15th June, 10am - 12pm.

 

 

These little felt creatures are examples of the pocket-sized pet we will be making at our forthcoming, 'Felt Menagerie'  workshop on Friday 15th June 2012 (10am - 12pm). Each animal is made from a simple design, stitched together by hand and embellished with embroidery. During the two hour session you will be taken through the process step-by-step. Each creature will be as unique as you are! 

 2. 'Thorny Joe' Cactus Pincushion Workshop: Friday 22nd June, 10am -12pm

 

These succulent, felt fellows might look like a pair of prickly characters but they are always more than happy to keep an eye on your pins & needles. They are made from felt (so no need to water!)  and sit in their very own miniature terracotta pot.

3. 'Garden in a Hoop' Embroidery Workshop: Friday27th June, 10am-12pm

 

For those with an interest in handstitch and vintage textiles, the third in our series of short workshops being held in June could be for you. We will take inspiration from all things floral.

 Using a traditional wooden embroidery hoop to keep the fabric in place, participants will be shown how to 'stitch-doodle' by hand onto a vintage piece of linen; some of which will still bear the evidence of previous lives as table or tray cloths. You will have the option to further embellish the piece with buttons, beads, applique and even a Suffolk Puff or two! At the end of your stitch-doodling the embroidery hoop can become a frame in which to hang the piece in. Voila! 

 

This session is suitable for those with some basic handstitch experience. You would be most welcome to bring along scraps of your own favourite fabrics or floral pictures for inspiration, although not essential as all materials will be provided. 

Give us a call, drop us a line, tweet or even better, pop in to the cafe to reserve your place!