FANTASTIC news from The Creameries Chorlton crowdfunding project. Chef Mary-Ellen McTague, baker Sophie Yeoman and designer Soo Wilkinson have hit their £20,000 target inside four days.
The cash will be used 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 trio had already raised £60,000 to bring the Wilbraham Road landmark back to life and work is progressing rapidly with an opening planned for March 2018.
Now with 24 days of the monthlong crowdfunding campaign left there’s till lots of time to boost the kitty via this link. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-creameries--2#/
The end product will be a a contemporary bakery and kitchen, but still preserving original features such as the tilework. 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.
Mary-Ellen, once of Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, has been cheffing for the Real Junk Food Project and Manchester Art Gallery Cafe since her own restaurant, Aumbry, shut three years ago. This new venture is obviously close to her heart and ethical commitment.
She told ToM: "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. The likes of Manchester Veg People, The Courtyard Dairy, goat products from Cabrito Meat.
“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 (above) 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.
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.