WE still miss Mary-Ellen McTague at the stove of Aumbry, though that Prestwich beacon of cutting edge cuisine has long been history. In the aftermath of its closure you can't accuse her of being less than busy – and not just with the high profile posts of head chef at the Real Junk Food Project and Manchester Art Galley Cafe as she promotes her food and drink philosophies (and in the latter case resurrects the Toastie).
Mary-Ellen’s ethical quest is to the fore in her latest project, a crowdfunding campaign to bring a much-loved Chorlton landmark back to life – The Creameries. It will be a showcase for her acclaimed cooking skills.
Along with her business partners, former teacher and baker Sophie Yeoman and designer Soo Wilkinson (The Lawn Club, Baratxuri, Alma de Cuba) she is aiming to transform the beautiful tiled Edwardian former creamery on Wilbraham Road into a contemporary bakery and kitchen.
Her passion is obvious: "This a very exciting project for me – I'll be working with some wonderful, local suppliers who will provide us with produce at the peak of freshness, and completely in tune with the seasons.
“It's a sustainable, ethical and ultimately very rewarding way to cook for people. The focus will be on a small, well-considered menu that will work alongside the staples of bread and cheese, beer and wine that we have on offer. I cannot wait!
"I will be less involved day to day at the Art Gallery now that we have a new talented head chef, Isobel Jenkins in the post. I'll continue to work with the Gallery. but will mostly be cooking at The Creameries"
The ultimate plan is for The Creameries to offer not only offer delicious food, but also bread making workshops, a children’s cookery school, life drawing classes, wine tasting and lots more.
“We have considered every aspect here”, says Soo Wilkinson, “be it the open bakery where people can watch their food being made, the edible plants on the walls, or the well-thought-out events programme we have put together – we want people to experience something new, and get together to share food and each other’s company”.
Supporters of the crowdfunding appeal will be rewarded with an exclusive gift, ranging from a meal for two to private hire of their conservatory space with bespoke wines, bread and cheese – a unique Christmas gift for a foodie loved one or a chance to be part of a fantastic new project at the heart of the Chorlton community.
The three friends have already raised £60,000 to transform The Creameries, and work is well underway. They now hope to raise at least another £20,000, which they will use to buy all of their baking equipment – everything from the bread oven right down to wooden spoons and the children’s aprons for cookery classes.
The Creameries hopes to be up and running by March 2018 and once open, customers can look forward to:
• Daily fresh bread and pastries, breakfasts, coffee and juice from 8am.
• A small, ever changing lunch and supper menu based on British cheeses, seasonal vegetables, sustainable fish and home cured wild meats.
• A distinctive selection of natural wines and local beer till 11pm.
• A pull out all the stops Sunday Sharing menu where everyone can get together to feast on fresh bread and cheese, meats roasted overnight in the bread oven, baker’s potatoes and lots of puddings.
• Organic and ethical food supplied by Manchester Veg People, cheese from The Courtyard Dairy (above), goats from Cabrito Meat.
• Children’s baking classes and art club.
• Monthly bread making workshops, wine and cheese tastings, flower crowning workshops.
“The heritage of The Creameries is really important to us”, says Sophie. “I’ve always loved this place. We were dead set on keeping the name and the iconic tiles on the front, and most importantly, we wanted to base our menu on British cheese and locally churned butter in keeping with the history of the building. To this mix we’ve added homemade bread as what else goes so well with said cheese and butter? Three of the greats right there”.
Their crowdfunding campaign begins at 7am on Monday, November 27. For further details of the project visit this link and check @hellocreameries to find link to contribute from Monday.