FOOD EDITION
STIR WINS AN AWARD AND OPENS TWO NEW CAFES Stir Bakery has achieved a top accolade at the prestigious Baking Industry Awards 2024. The locally owned independent chain, which includes cafes at Chesterton and Histon, as well as bakery shops in Chesterton, Green Street and Fulbourn, won the speciality bread of the year award for its sprouted ancient grain sourdough. Sandor Bagameri, head of bakery operations, was also shortlisted as a finalist in the baker of the year category. “These awards are the Oscars of our sector, as they don’t just feature craft bakeries but are open to all parts of the industry,” explains co-founder and director Matt Harrison. “Stir was a winner alongside M&S and Warburtons!” Matt is also pleased to announce the chain is opening two new cafes in the next few weeks, with Stir ‘properly hitting the south of Cambridge for the first time’. Its cafe in the iconic Old Swiss building on Cherry Hinton Road will open in December, followed in the new year by a large cafe in a new Addenbrooke’s campus building. Stir’s other accolades include best gluten-free loaf in the 2022 British Baking Awards and a gold award for its brioche buns in the 2022 World Bread Awards. This year’s winning loaf is nutrient-rich, high in fibre and uses sprouted ancient grains – rye, spelt, einkorn – which have largely remained unchanged for hundreds of years. “It’s prepared using a traditional method, only gently kneading the bread and with a longer, slower rise in the oven to lock in the various flours’ flavours,” reveals Matt. “These ingredients and methods give you a nutty flavour that complements the crunch from the crust and the sunflower and pumpkin seeds.”
Browns makeover
Browns Brasserie and Bar in Cambridge has reopened following refurbishment. The restaurant, housed in the 19th- century former Addenbrooke’s Hospital, received an interior makeover, extending the dining area and adding a cosy new terrace. The new luxe, art- deco aesthetics give it a fresh, modern look. Its menu serves classic British dishes, including Sunday roasts accompanied by live piano 1-4pm. A 3-4.30pm Festive Afternoon Tea will be offered from 22 November. For more information, see browns-restaurants.co.uk
Local events and openings to whet your appetite
46 DECEMBER 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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