Husband and wife team Clare and Scott Forrest decided to embrace their dream of opening a café in Suffolk after both were made redundant within a week of each other at the beginning of the first lockdown. And Clare is pleased to report that they have just had an ‘amazing’ first weekend
Clare and Scott Forrest both decided to leave the corporate world behind, last year, after their roles were made redundant. And they felt a strong pull to build a small business in Suffolk, instead. The result is the Milk Shed Café, tucked away in a former cow shed (the clue is in the name) in Sproughton. The new independent coffee shop and café serves locally roasted speciality coffee alongside baked savouries, cakes, and a freshly-prepared seasonal menu – ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible.
And there’s a Scandinavian twist. The café is dedicated to the Swedish tradition of Fika (pronounced fee-kah) which means ‘To take a break and make time for friends and family to share a cup of coffee and a little something to eat’. The emphasis is on simple and nourishing food, paired with speciality coffee and award-winning tea.
Scott explains: ‘Milk Shed Café was born out of our love of café culture and the Swedish ritual of Fika. Taking time out and creating breathing space is essential; our converted cowshed is a beautiful space to encourage you to slow down.’
The couple feel that they have brought new life into this corner of rural Suffolk, with newly renovated inside and outside spaces.
Clare says: ‘We care deeply about our local community and the environment. Our café is built around the use of locally sourced ingredients; from the locally roasted coffee to our artisan food and the packaging we use. Making our café as sustainable as possible is hugely important to us.’
For example, the ethically sourced speciality coffee is hand-roasted locally in Bury St Edmunds by Crude Roastery Coffee. Other local suppliers to the Milk Shed Café include the Bagel Club, Eden’s Bakery, Brownie and the Bean, Sophie’s Cakery, Vlad’s Patisserie, Good to Go, Marimba Chocolate, Pinney’s of Offord, Chefs Ipswich, Anglia Produce, Stokes Sauces, Maynard House and Springvale Foods.
With Fika in mind, the menu extends beyond traditional Suffolk fare, with some Scandinavian inspired dishes such as open sandwiches and cinnamon buns.
The café opened the weekend just gone. Clare says of the ‘amazing’ opening day: ‘There were so many people – we didn’t quite know what to do on our first day but it was a lovely challenge to have!’
The Milk Shed Café, Springvale Studios, Hadleigh Road, Sproughton, IP8 3AS. Opening times are Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Find Milk Shed Cafe on Instagram
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