I have been away in Corsica, bobbing about on the Med,

Misty mountains of Corsica

eating and drinking far too much (I know, I know, I will stop now) but am back, nose to the key board and occasionally the cooker, inspired by lovely Corsican food (I bought a recipe book but it’s in French, so now I need to learn French in order to read it) and the occasional burst of sunshine outside.

August is a quiet month here in Bristol, and especially at the Café;  time to breathe and plan for the start of term and Autumn activities.  We have lots of events coming up at the Café this Autumn including (ta da..) another Restaurant Night.  After the success of the last one we are planning the next for September 24th with guest chef Tara Hoffman of Tara’s Table – details will be posted nearer the time so keep checking in.

We are also planning another fab Quiz Night in conjunction with our wonderful Landlords The Bristol Folk House (visit their site for the new Autumn courses Prospectus), date yet to be confirmed.  Of course we also have our annual music festivals the Cajun & Zydeco on 15th-17th October so get get your dancing shoes on and learn to eat food with lots of tabasco!  The Harmonica Festival is on 29th-31st October so learn to play like Bob.  Book early for workshops and gigs as they sell out very fast!

Was it something I said?

It is time to to prepare to say goodbye to three key members of staff, two permanently, and one downsizing her role.

Fran is leaving her post, stepping down as manager but staying on to work a couple of shifts a week while she studiesPractical Sustainable Living . I personally will miss her immense organisational skills, energy, hard work and loyalty in her role as manager, and we will all miss her ability to know when to stop work and just have some FUN, but we are all really pleased that she is doing this brilliant course (she can teach us all about it when she is finished!), and that she will be staying with us at least part time.

Johnny Lightening has also decided to leave the fold. He has chosen to do an MA, make sound sculptures and be an artist. Johnny’s passion for food is almost as strong as his passion for his art and he has made some inspired additions to our menus over his time with us, and unless he writes all his recipes down for me to keep I am not letting him go.  If he cooperates I will wish him luck and joy (as we all do anyway really!) in his work, and invite him back to work with us again in his spare time.

Kat too is off.  Travelling in South America and practising the Spanish she has been studying here at the Folk House.  We will miss her smile and calm capability in quelling possible pandemonium, but wish her luck and many adventures.

Fran during her marathon cream tea sale at the enormously successful and fun Harbour Festival.