If there’s one thing you can’t predict then it’s the British weather. You would have thought May would be a great time to plan Pimms on the terrace. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas.
Thankfully one thing you can rely on is Homemade. Established in 2005 by Jasmin Barlow-Wilkinson, Homemade has built a reputation for serving truly delicious homemade food. The first award winning branch of the cafe bistro opened in the City Centre, with the Sherwood cafe opening in December 2012. Wednesday 28th May saw the launch of the third fantastic cafe within the newly restored pavilion at the Forest Recreation Ground. Lucky NottinghamLive were invited along to be one of the first to sample the home-cooked goodness and to celebrate the launch at the revamped pavilion.
Wrapped up warm rather than in our summer togs we headed for the party. An early 6pm start and a cab that dropped us of at the footy pitches meant we arrived a little late and weather beaten. Thankfully we got there just in time to grab a glass of fizz and toast Jasmine as she cut the ribbon to officially open the new cafe.
Free wine was poured throughout the evening, along with samples of their yummy boozy chocolaty shakes, which we enjoyed whilst listening to performances from a great live duo. We got to tuck into some Homemade Canapés and Snackerals, a great opportunity to sample some of their most popular dishes. Sadly we’d missed most of the savoury choices but enjoyed the sweet offerings which included jam tarts, ice cream and the famous homemade brownies.
An independent cafe, Homemade, like us love food and believe in supporting other local producers and independent businesses. A majority of their suppliers are within a 3 mile radius of the Cafes, such as Victoria Centre Market traders J Kerry and sons, who supply the fruit and veg, Meat at the Corner who supply locally sourced meat from neighbouring Lincolnshire and The Fishmongers who supply, well obviously the fish and other sea food.
Homemade believe in fresh, wholesome food rather than additive laden goods and use the finest ingredients. Take lunchtime for example, the burgers are made with lean steak mince, sandwiches with traditionally baked breads and their fillings freshly prepared. Jacket potatoes are slowly oven baked rather than zapped in a microwave, so basically it’s everything that’s good about homemade food, but the great bit is that somebody else is doing the hard bit for you.
The Cafes offer a selection of breakfasts which include a traditional English breakfast (The Works) along with a veggie option and a continental option as well as their Posh Pants Brekkie – tons of smoked salmon and scrambled egg on wedges of chunky toast, which having tried, I can vouch will keep you full for the rest of the day!
We didn’t leave the do empty handed either. As the night drew to a close we were given VIP Homemade goodie bags to take back with us. These contained a gloriously sweet white chocolate flap jack; jam from local producers Mr Pitchfork’s Preserves as well a voucher for a free coffee with our next purchase at the Pavilion plus their cleverly named Brownie Points Loyalty Card. A new idea whereby you collect a stamp every time you order at any Homemade and receive a free Brownie with your 10th purchase.
As well being named three times as regional winner and national runner up in the ‘Best Cheap Eats’ category at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, the cafe also offers wedding and special occasion catering and outdoor barbeques events.
NottinghamLive wish Jasmine the best of luck with her latest venture.
For more information visit www.homemadecafe.com
By Tanya Raybould
