I've always had a dream of opening up my own cafe. It would be in Woodside, CA tucked into one of the spaces somewhere within the 4 corners (for those of you who know the area, you know where I mean). It's cycling central due to being at the base of the best climbs on the peninsula and just far enough away from home where most cyclists end up stopping for one reason or another. The cafe would be cycling related in that I'd have cycling gear on the walls, bicycle parking outside or an attendant to watch your bike, cycling videos playing non-stop, and of course if any bike races are being broadcast, you know they'd be on! I'd have kick ass coffee, because that's how Tim and I roll. I'd also have an array of delicious baked goods, but always on rotation and would be whatever I felt like baking that day.
Upon thinking how I'd make that dream a reality, I did kickstart a small organic cupcake business out of my home when I was living in CA. For various reasons, I didn't love that experience. My oven ran hot, the cakes were all of various types and folks never seemed 100% satisfied with them. I grew frustrated pretty quickly and decided that perhaps selling my baked goodies wasn't the best idea afterall.
Fast forward to life in London, and every week the mums from nursery to do a coffee morning where usually folks bring something to contribute. Of course I enjoy this immensely and always bake whatever I feel like that day and something that I know is a crowd pleaser. My goodies received such rave reviews that a dear friend of mine decided to take it upon herself to become my personal PR spokesperson. She recently moved a town away and has had difficulty finding a coffee shop with decent baked goods. So much so that she entered the cafe on the corner of her road, said in so many words that their baked goods were crap and told the owner that he had to try mine and sell them in his shop. To which the owner replied, 'ok'.
Alas, here I am...a cafe is interested in meeting with me, sampling my goodies and giving them a whirl at selling them in his shop.
Of course the big question I'm in the throws of answering is, what baked goods should I bring to him to taste?
I figured about 3-5 different items would be a good start. In the running are my scones, and cranberry swirl coffee cake (because that cake is my PR friend's favorite and she wants it locally!). I'm now deciding what the remaining items should be. Ideas on the list include the morning buns (croissant cinnamon buns: received rave rave reviews, though they are hard work to make), blueberry muffins, double chocolate almond biscotti and buttermilk cinnamon buns. Out of those items, what 1-3 items would you add to the scones and coffee cake? Or do you have better ideas that I can try out? The plan is to present him the items next Friday, so I have a week to prepare.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Miss you Julie! So a thought just popped into my head. I'd bring only what you'd enjoy making in bulk or regularly -- things you'd be happy to spend the time on if they become a "job." And do you do anything savory? I often want a goodie with a tad of protein.
ReplyDeleteLove following what you're up to and the 'hood isn't the same without you guys. ;-)
Hi Lorraine! Sooo lovely to hear from you :). Thanks much for your feedback! I need to explore the savory route, but to date, I'm a sweet girl and most of my 'A' recipes are sweet. However, I've roped a good friend into this trial of mine and she does some good savory stuff, so we'll be exploring that sooner vs. later.
DeleteDefinitely miss you too! Your kitchen looks to die for! How are you liking it? How's life in general? We are in the process of selling our house and it will hopefully be bundled up by the end of January. No plans to move back to CA anytime soon :(.
Oddly enough, I thought of Chris today as I was out riding. There's a song with the lyrics "Hip Hip" in it and every time I hear them, I think of Chris. I was telling him how I know he would be haggling me for not incorporating a bit of 'dirt' on today's ride, but I just didn't have the time! I miss that guy...as I know you do too.
Anyway, hope all is lovely in your world, and let me know if you ever make it across the pond. Would love to see you out this way!
Miss you!
Love,
Julie
Jules, I love this! A new biz for you. Have you had a chance to visit the cafe yourself and get the vibe? I bet your instincts would tell you right then what would be best. And it couldn't hurt to chat with the owner ahead of time, see what he'd be interested in. I agree with Lorraine, probably hold off on the croissant cin-buns since you'd be kicking yourself later if he wanted 3 orders per day. :-)) Soooo, if you still want my opinion, I'd say scones, coffee cake, aaaaaand......biscotti. (Though personally I'd love your buttermilk buns, I think a variety of textures will also give the owner an idea of the range you can offer.)
ReplyDeletexo, happy holidays to the biscuits and little buns (and dolce, too!)
Thanks Tara! I ended up doing scones, biscotti, coffee cake, american cinnamon buns, and blueberry muffins. All of them are pretty simple and easy to make, so it wasn't an issue. I'll know later this week which items the cafes are interested in trying out (there are 2 now and many more I think we could add to the mix down the road). Stay tuned ;).
DeleteHow are you? How's everything in your world? We must catch up!
Miss you!
Love,
Julie
I love your scones -they were delicious for breakfast in Cornwall. I don't think I've ever had morning buns in England so they might be interesting to bake another time.
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