TWO MAGPIES BAKERY // SOUTHWOLD

It's Saturday morning just before 8am and I've managed to drag Ben out of bed to enjoy a beautiful, fresh morning in the seaside village of Southwold. Even though I'm an avid early riser, it isn't often I can find someone willing to join me this early, especially on a weekend morning! But we are here to celebrate Joan's 60th birthday (Ben's mum) and we're off to collect freshly baked goods and more importantly the birthday cake from a bakery called The Two magpies.

We weren't they only ones, outside their door eagerly awaiting them to open!

We managed to arrive even before they’d put the shutters up! Soon though, the blinds came up to show a wonderful display of tempting baked goods. We ordered a cuppa tea and coffee whilst we waited to collect our order. I was chuffed to find their coffee is from one of my favourite coffee suppliers, Allpress, based in Shoreditch.

Little fella didn't seem too chuffed he had to stay outside!

The owners, Rebecca and Jim are a couple, who began careers in completely different fields to what they are now doing. Jim was in bomb disposal in the Army and Rebecca was an art teacher. 

They opened the Two Magpies Bakery, back in Easter 2013, Jim has slowly got used to the baking shifts, which start at 10pm and finish at around 10am the next day! After completing his one year notice in with the Army. He finished work on a Sunday and began training as a baker on the Monday morning. Jim trained at The School of Artisan Food in Welbeck for a year, during which time he went on numerous placements to other bakeries, including Sweden.

Rebecca and Jim in the bakery

I’d been in contact with Rebecca, via email over the past couple of weeks. Both Jim and Rebecca were in the bakery at the back of the cafe, working away when we arrived. Rebecca was just putting the finishing touches to the cake whilst Jim was coming to the end of his shift. As we sat down to our caffeine they both popped out to say hello. Jim, greeted me & took me into the bakery to show me around. 

Who came up with the name for the bakery?

 The name … we like to collect things – ideas, recipes etc. We think they are an iconic looking bird, two for joy…etc, etc!

Why did you choose Southwold to open the Bakery?

 We travelled all over the UK whilst trying to decide where to open our bakery – we were looking for a town that still had a “local shopping culture” with some “must have” shops (butchers, greengrocers – but no decent bakery) We opened in Southwold because it came up first in terms of right location & property from our shortlist!

Southwold High Street

Southwold Cottages

What is your best selling loaf?
Our bestselling loaf is the Southwold Sour of which we give 10% of the sale price to local charities. We rotate our breads daily so its hard to say for sure. 

The 'specials' change on a daily basis. Today was Saturday and the specials were ‘100% Rye, Coriander and Caraway’, ‘Spelt’, ‘Oat and Honey’, ‘Pumpkin and Poppyseed’, ‘Fig and Fennel Sourdough’, ‘Stilton Apple and Walnut Sourdough’. Impressive selection don't you think?

If someone wanted to learn how to knead dough and bake the perfect loaf, do you do lessons or demonstrations?

 We don’t currently do lessons but it’s something we plan to do in the future.

Regular breads include ‘Magpie White’, ‘Magpie Wholemeal’, ‘Wholemeal Six Seed’, ‘Magpie Sourdough’, 'Southwold Sour', 'Ciabatta' and on weekends they do ‘Baguette’s’

How have you settled into the local community?

We love our locals and enjoy being part of the community. We support “my Southwold” which offers a discount on certain products daily, we have a popular loyalty card scheme and are in the process of setting up an initiative with the local primary school whereby we will give the children fresh bread every day for their lunch. We believe in the importance of good food and education about a quality product! We went into the same school last year and taught two classes how to make bread – they all went home with their own mini loaves, very proud of themselves!  We have recently launched our Saturday pizza nights – mainly aimed at take away but you can eat in – the base and toppings are inspired by our recent trip to New York to check out the artisan pizza scene there – we think they’re very exciting and a bit unique!

This sourdough starter's heritage is over 200yrs old and is used for their sourdough pizzas.

The starters are a wild yeast culture that live and feed off flour and water, they give the dough the leavening rather than using a manufactured yeast, it's the way our forefathers would have made bread and is a process that's been used for hundreds of years. 

Baker, Sam Cutter, putting the finishing egg wash onto the Brioche Swirls.

During a visit earlier this year, Jim and Rebecca were inspired to make these Brooklyn Swirls after coming across by a similar product made in 'Bakeri' a fantastic Scandi bakery in Brooklyn. The are brioche dough with kale, Monterey jack, Cheddar, Aleppo pepper flakes and egg wash. Have a look at the finishing result on their Instagram feed here.

Brioche swirls were a created after an inspiring visit to America

The seasonal menu is written on a brown paper roll hanging next to a blackboard behind the serving counter and changes seasonally, or as and when they feel inspired or have something to shout about.

Who came up with the design and visual look of the bakery?

The design was based on a clean Scandinavian look, we made loads of mood boards etc. based on things we love and then luckily met an interior designer called Paul Crofts through a mutual acquaintance and he then took on the project. 

The collaboration with award winning Paul Crofts Studios & was featured in Dezeen online magazine.

The fresh bread and patisserie is produced at the back of the shop every day, which can be seen through a window from the seating area whilst you enjoy a fresh cup of Allpress coffee.

Rebecca is in charge of the patisserie side of the business, all those delicious cakes and goodies!

Rebecca with the help of pastry assistant, Jess Hannah, create some fantastic looking treats that decorate the main window. See below just a few of their creations, from Pistachio & rose water meringues, fig and orange slices to streusel cakes and gingerbread men!

Any regrets at changing your lifestyle?

Regrets – on dark winters nights at 2 a.m. a normal life does seem quite appealing but on the whole we both enjoy being in charge of our own destiny, being creative and moving our business in the direction we want to.

Are there any special offers and deals you do at the bakery people should know about?

We can also provide larger orders for special occasions and have provided for film festivals, weddings, parties, hog roasts and BBQ's, we will need as much notice as possible for these.

Visit our shop to choose from a range of Two Magpies branded Tea Towels, breadboards, bags and T-shirts. We also have cane proofing baskets and a small selection of inspiring foodie books for sale. We sell some of the products we use in the shop; such as ‘We are Tea’ teabags and infusions, ‘Marriages Flour’ and ‘Rubies in the Rubble’ chutneys.

After a very insightful trip to the bakery, Ben and I headed back, arms laden with the croissants and the birthday cake. Ben's sister, Emily, had set up the kitchen for an impressive birthday breakfast with bunting galore.

Two Magpie's perfect croissants, beautifully fresh and fluffy!

Back at the cottage, Emily shows her mum the birthday breakfast spread!

After devouring a feast of a breakfast we headed out for walk along the beach and pier only to return back to have a cup of tea and some birthday cake! It was so big it took us three days to eat it all. Hard work, but we were happy to help ;)

Finally here is the famous Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake from The Two Magpies Bakery!

Finally here is the famous Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake from The Two Magpies Bakery!

You can't beat a bit of double cream, the strawberries makes this all healthy... promise...

You can't beat a bit of double cream, the strawberries makes this all healthy... promise...

So be sure to pop down to the bakery when you're next in Southwold. Buy some delicious bread and make a picnic for the beach or on a Saturday returning back to your holiday home, pick up a freshly cooked pizza and some delicious treats for desert. You won't regret it!

TWO MAGPIES BAKERY

88 HIGH STREET, SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK, IP18 6DP

EMAIL: INFO@TWOMAGPIESBAKERY.CO.UK

TEL: 01502 726 120

OPEN EVERY DAY (EXCEPT TUESDAY) FROM 0800 TO 1700 

AND ON SUNDAY OPEN AT 0900

CAFE No.178

Last weekend was jam packed but somehow I managed to have a lovely long brunch with some of my friends from Borough Belles. A couple of them had never ventured to New Cross before so taking them to Cafe No.178. It's been open a while now and is somewhere that has caught my eye.

I managed to reserve a table for us during the week. I don't usually reserve tables, but on this occasion there was going to be 5 of us, so it seemed sensible. Luke, at No178, was quick in replying and very helpful.

I'd like to tell you a bit about No.178 before I tell you of my experience when I went there. 

Cafe No.178 is part of, and run by the Toucan Employment, which is a charity based in the Lewisham, Southwark, Brent & Peckham areas. The charity’s aims is to help people with learning disabilities secure work and employment opportunities in London. Half of Cafe No.178 employees have learning disabilities. But with Toucan employment's hospitality program, they are taught to create menus, cook food, wait tables etc. and prep them for further employment possibilities.

“A social enterprise cafe-bar serving large helpings of fantastic 

food, local beers, top coffee and social good”

They are set up so that the proceeds made at the Cafe get put back into the charity in different forms. Firstly they have an veg plot based in Honor Oak, that some of the food that is grown there is used in the cafe. Soup also made in the cafe No.178 kitchen is sold on their soup stall, which is based outside the New Cross Post office & also employs adults with learning disabilities. 

The Trust also uses the funds for their community garden and other projects in the area. Including working with Grow Wild, an organisation that teaches nutrition around New Cross. They have a garden up on Telegraph Hill and run a class called “Chop and Chat”, which is a communal cooking session that they have on Mondays at No.178. 

So as you can tell this place is doing good things and is an important part of the community. Knowing this when I arrived I wanted to like Cafe No.178, as was already impressed at their aim and addition to the New Cross community.

I arrived at the cafe 10 mins late, the cafe was already busy and the girls behind the counter seemed run off their feet. After being shown the table, the Belles arrived and after a brief catch up we ordered some food. 

The cafe itself has a great relaxed atmosphere. I loved the decor and the fact that there are board games & books for customers to use. It gives you the impression they want you to stay and not rush. There is plenty of space between tables which is a refreshing change to ramming in as many tables as you can fit in, which you find in so many places these days. Which I have to say stresses me out. 

Not only is it a cafe in the day but also has things happening in the evenings and also has a license too. Quiz nights on Wednesdays, live music and dancing on other evenings and they're even hosting a valentine's night this Friday.

On the cafe side of things I was really impressed with the food I ate and the coffee was delicious. But don't go there in a rush, food arrives when it's ready, as do your drinks. Service may sometimes seem slow, but bear with them. The girls were incredibly thankful for our patience and apologised for the chaos that seemed to surround them.

I went for the Shakshuka – Eggs poached in a spiced Tomato sauce with Pitta and Feta £5.75. Luke informed be that 'Shakshuka' spelling varies as does the country of origin but definitely from the Middle East. Have to say it was delicious and incredibly comforting for a cold raining weekend. The light kick of the spices sorted out the mild hangover I had too ;)

Ellie and Amy couldn't resist and both opted for the pancakes and bacon. They both deemed it tasty and delicious. American Breakfast – pancakes, bacon & maple syrup £4.00

Muireann went for the veggie brekkie, being veggie n all.

Breakfast pizza, no less! I've never heard of it before, let alone seen it. It baked beans on there and everything!?! Veggie Breakfast Pizza –  Egg, Spinach, Mushrooms & Baked Beans, on a crisp Tortilla base £5.75 

Holly arrived a little later and went for a simple wrap. Not a lot to say here, it was a wrap. Did what it said on the tin, but not very exciting. Alll the same filled the hole. Wensleydale & Chutney (v) £3.50 

Overall I can conclude I will be back and hopefully will manage to check out some of the other events they have going on at No.178. It is a great place with a great vibe and a very welcome addition to the New Cross scene.

No.178

178 New Cross Road 

London SE14 5AA

02079986922

no178newcross@gmail.com

HUNGRY LARDER IN HITHER GREEN

Another supperclub post! 

The other weekend I was accompanied by my friend and fellow Borough Belle'r to the Wrong Side of the Tracks Supperclub. I have been meaning to go to this local pop-up for some time. I am soon realising that Supper-clubs are fast becoming my favourite type of dining experience! If you've never been to Supper-club before I applaud you to go and experience it. Have a look on the Supperclub Fanpage website to find one near you.

Renata, the one creating the food, runs a blog called The Hungry Larder & also the Green Door Supper Club & Daniel runs the Hither Green Wine Club . On occasions they join forces and run ‘The Wrong Side Of The Tracks’ supperclub from the Café’ of Good Hope, Hither Green.

I was informed it was called The Wrong Side of The Tracks, hoping to rid North Londoners of the outdated notion that we don’t have fun south of the river! 

However the name also brings up the discussion about how Hither Green is split in the middle by train tracks, would they be suggesting that this side of Hither Green is in fact the wrong side of the tracks....? To answer this personally I believe not, as both sides of HG have a strong community plus groups that go out and plant in the area. They also both have great little cafe serving great coffee and sandwiches, Cafe of Good Hope and You Don’t bring Me Flowers... Mind you the other side does have the pub.. hmm so on that basis maybe it is?! ;P

Renata served up a Northern Italian inspired spread and Daniel poured out the wine. 

The supperclub on this occasion was not BYO, the wine was supplied by Daniel, the profit from which was used to raise funds for the Jimmy Mizen Foundation. So each glass of good wine we drank helped the wonderful work the Mizen brothers & family do for the community. Daniel was very helpful in making sure our table did our bit for the community. Thank you Daniel!

MENU

The Fizz and Pre-dinner Nibbles

On arrival the team seemed to be still completing the finishing touches, but still welcomed us into the caos with big smiles and handed us our glasses of ‘pink fizz’ which was delicious! So far, impressed.

Once in, it seemed that others may have been hovering outside and soon the doorway was packed with people coming in from the cold. Coats off and with drinks in hand, people started to chat and introduce themselves as the canapés were taken round. 

There were two varieties, the first was sourdough bread with yellow pepper and anchovy paste, Piedmontese peppers. At first glance, I thought it was a scallop, but after being corrected realised the bubbles had already gone to my head. The pepper and anchovy were ok, not my cup of tea. I found the texture and size of the bread seemed to over take the flavours of the pepper and anchovy.

After another top up of bubbles, the second canapé was brought out. Mini mushroom pastry puff balls, Bigné with Porcini mushrooms. WOW! These were delicious and couldn’t get enough of them. I loved the light textures of the pastry and creamy kick of mushroom flavour. Yum! Big thumbs up!!

It was time to sit down for the meal which the evening price also included a glass of wine from the selection on offer from Hither Green’s Wine Club. The table went for red and I followed suit. Another fine wine! 

The Starter

For starter it was a savoury panna cotta. Now I love panna cotta and have had quite a few in my time but never a savoury version, so I was incredibly intrigued!

The Truffle infused panna cotta with beetroot sauce was brought over on mismatched plates and a large basket of superb sour dough bread. As a massive beetroot lover, I loved the mix of flavours. This starter was fantastic! The panna cotta was beautifully creamy and had a lovely delicate flavour that was cut by the burst of beetroot on the side. 

The Main

Next was the main course, again another new experience for me. I have never had Ox tail, let alone marrow bone! To tell the truth I had to look up what Ossobuco was before going as I had no idea what it was. Here is what I found out:

Ossobuco is a Milanese specialty of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth. 

Translates as \'bone\'s hole\' is simply an inch & a half slab of veal shank. There is a good amount of tough meat surrounding a large flat piece of bone with ample amount of rich marrow in the center. When cooked the marrow melts into the sauce leaving an open whole in the center, thus the name osso buco. 

It is often garnished with gremolata and traditionally served with risotto alla milanese.

You learn something new every day!

Renata made the Ossobuco, courtesy of GG Sparkes butchers, and served it on a bed of perfectly cooked creamy saffron risotto.

 Seeing people attack the bones with their knives trying to get at marrow was quite amusing but the results of clean plates surrounding me must have been a sign to Renata at how it was a hit!

One of the reasons I love pop-up supper clubs is the people you meet. Our table was great :) it had a good mix of healthy debate, hearty laughter and mic taking, which seemed to get louder the more we drank! Amazing how easy it is to bond with complete strangers after two drinks! ;D

The Dessert

Torta Delfina - A traditional Tuscan dessert the combination of rich almond pastry with the last of the season’s soft raspberries. The raspberry almond tart’s base was rich and dense but had the added lift and sharpness from the raspberries.

They put the whole pie on our table..... I don’t think we ate it all.. did we?

Delicious!!

Coffee and homemade almond macaroons. 

No photos, I’m afraid. Not only by this point was I a bit wobbly but also I had no idea these divine little morsels were going to be handed out. By the time I had devoured it, I’d realised i hadn’t taken a photo, so you’ll just have to trust me that they were beautifully gooey and rich. Perfect with a strong cup of coffee!

The only thing that remains to be said is thank you. Thank you Renata for all your hard work and brilliant cooking and Daniel for ensuring that we managed to raise £670 for the Jimmy Mizen Foundation. 

"Which proves that drinking wine with friends is a force for good"