The sweltering heat must have gone to our heads the last few weeks as after 2½ years of running the business I’ve finally gotten round to writing our first blog. It’s been on the ‘to do’ list for a long time, but true to style, I don’t like to rush these things.
It’s been a busy few weeks at the LBC. We’re delighted to welcome Juliet, aka Baggy (after Bilbo Baggins, how very bookishly appropriate) to the team as our new Kitchen Assistant. Baggy is suitably enthusiastic about all things food as well as books so we know she is going to fit in well. She has already introduced us to the deliciously tropical Maracuya fruit, bought on a whim from Mitch’s Fruit & Veg stall. We may have to try incorporating that into a special at some time.
It’s been hot hot hot in the kitchen with the soaring temperatures, but as we know, if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Which is why I try and hang out in the courtyard as much as possible. We’ve put in an extra fan to keep the air moving. It’s been feeling positively mediterranean out there recently. The heat may be going to our head but at least we’ve had our homemade gooseberry & mint lemonade to refresh us.
It’s been a busy few weeks at the LBC. We’re delighted to welcome Juliet, aka Baggy (after Bilbo Baggins, how very bookishly appropriate) to the team as our new Kitchen Assistant. Baggy is suitably enthusiastic about all things food as well as books so we know she is going to fit in well. She has already introduced us to the deliciously tropical Maracuya fruit, bought on a whim from Mitch’s Fruit & Veg stall. We may have to try incorporating that into a special at some time.
It’s been hot hot hot in the kitchen with the soaring temperatures, but as we know, if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Which is why I try and hang out in the courtyard as much as possible. We’ve put in an extra fan to keep the air moving. It’s been feeling positively mediterranean out there recently. The heat may be going to our head but at least we’ve had our homemade gooseberry & mint lemonade to refresh us.
We’ve had some summer classics on the Specials board recently, including Greek salad and quiche Lorraine (Chris does make a deliciously deep quiche) as well as the ever popular smashed avocado on griddled sourdough. Watch out for our mini bbq special coming soon.
As well as some scrummy sweet treats from Chris such as the pistachio & raspberry bakewell tart, we’ve also had some delicious cakes from Kelly at the Home Cakery. Her Rhubard & Custard cake went down particularly well. Based in Wickham St Paul, all Home Cakery cakes are homemade using the best ingredients, locally sourced where possible. We’ll still be making a lot of our own sweet treats but will also offer a variety of cakes from the Home Cakery to ensure we are offering a good selection of sweet treats and to give Kelly an opportunity to showcase some of her delicious home-baked cakes.
We’re very happy to have been able to support the local St Gile’s School in Great Maplestead by donating £250 to their library appeal. The money was raised from the sale of our used books (50% of all book proceeds are donated to charity or local causes). The primary school is looking to raise £10,000 to turn their school library into a learning space suitable for the 21st century. Encouraging young people to read and enjoy books is a very worthy cause so we’re delighted to be able to do our bit to help.
We’d like to say a big congratulations to Elsie, from Hard’s Butchers, who was runner up in the Premier Young Butcher of the Year competition. We’re proud to use such a fantastic local butchers and Elsie is a wonderful asset to the team there.
As well as some scrummy sweet treats from Chris such as the pistachio & raspberry bakewell tart, we’ve also had some delicious cakes from Kelly at the Home Cakery. Her Rhubard & Custard cake went down particularly well. Based in Wickham St Paul, all Home Cakery cakes are homemade using the best ingredients, locally sourced where possible. We’ll still be making a lot of our own sweet treats but will also offer a variety of cakes from the Home Cakery to ensure we are offering a good selection of sweet treats and to give Kelly an opportunity to showcase some of her delicious home-baked cakes.
We’re very happy to have been able to support the local St Gile’s School in Great Maplestead by donating £250 to their library appeal. The money was raised from the sale of our used books (50% of all book proceeds are donated to charity or local causes). The primary school is looking to raise £10,000 to turn their school library into a learning space suitable for the 21st century. Encouraging young people to read and enjoy books is a very worthy cause so we’re delighted to be able to do our bit to help.
We’d like to say a big congratulations to Elsie, from Hard’s Butchers, who was runner up in the Premier Young Butcher of the Year competition. We’re proud to use such a fantastic local butchers and Elsie is a wonderful asset to the team there.
And finally, the sweltering heat has been playing havoc with Jane’s feet. She resorted to wearing socks with sandals this week in the fight against blisters. But in true Jane style they’re the snazziest socks with sandals you’ll find...