This season, we’re inspired by the magic of sharing a table and good food, and how those fleeting moments of togetherness can leave us feeling part of something larger and more enduring.
We wanted to start the new season by creating exactly this kind of moment with our own community. So, earlier this week, we invited friends to our home in Camden to celebrate the launch of our new Summer Menu.
A long table stretched out into our local square, lined with colourful chairs beneath lime green leaves. It was dressed with a runner featuring freshly drawn pastel illustrations by Emma Cantlay, our artist in residence for the evening (and the talent behind the new summer illustrations outside our bakeries). All along the table sat crates of tall, vibrant blooms by Rebecca McEvoy of Dot Flower Studio. As guests started arriving, thankfully undeterred by the grey clouds, our jazz band PJ and the Aces filled the square with a different kind of warmth.
A passing shower had us panic for moment (and frantically compare different weather apps). Then finally, out came the food, the delay from the rain only adding to its grand entrance. There were huge platters of summertime salads, with charred vegetables, roast harissa chicken, and freekeh speckled with bright pomegranate seeds, made by Roane Rapson and Julia Miszkiewicz. Bowls of whipped anchovy butter sat along the table, along with silver trays overflowing with chunks of sourdough ready for dipping.
But our star savoury of the night had to be our Datterini Tomato, Basil & Cheese Curd Galette, where the tomatoes (from Natoora) were almost unbelievably sweet and the creamy cheese (from Mary Quickes) melted into pillowy, extra virgin olive oil brioche. Cut into generous slices, the brioche was passed around the crowd and disappeared as the sun turned up, fashionably late.
For dessert, guests passed cakes up and down the table, including our new Flourless Chocolate Mousse Cake, and our Strawberry & Ricotta Cake – a long-time summer favourite of ours. And as groups stood together in the square, they enjoyed passionfruit buns alongside top ups of champagne, our new dessert-like Tiramisu Cold Brew, or our bright Cherry & Chia Iced Tea.
People talked long into the evening, pulling chairs closer together, rekindling old connections and making new ones. Meanwhile, our artist Emma created illustrations of the season, which guests could take home in colourful tote bags. Inspired by market days, each cotton string bag was filled with treats from our summer menu, strawberries, Natoora’s Datterini tomatoes, Mary Quickes Whey Butter and a freshly baked baguette.
Finally, even with the unpredictable weather, it feels like summer is here. We can't wait to see you at the next gathering. To be the first to hear about future events, join us on our loyalty app.
Words Kate Hollowood
Photography Harriet Clare