SAVOUR & SIP
Local community hub The Linton Kitchen (TLK) has officially expanded with the opening of a new cafe at Hildersham’s Flourish Farm Shop. “When we were offered the space at Flourish, it was hard to say no,” says owner Gemma Whiting. Expansion of TLK’s bakery had always been on the cards for Gemma, but she was reluctant to settle on a bland industrial unit. “I’d always said I wanted a barn on a farm surrounded by flowers and herbs to use in our botanical bakes.” Fortunately, Flourish is the perfect setting, surrounded by the produce farm and shop, plus a huge courtyard with plenty of outdoor seating for warmer weather. Although a more stripped back version of TLK compared to the cafe found on the chocolate box high street of Linton, the new premises offers the same cheery welcome and selection of delicious cakes and savoury options, but operating bakery counter style with all goods available to take away in compostable containers. “We feel that sharing the same space will be great for both brands, and what we do is complementary,” says Gemma. Both Gemma and Calixta, founder of Flourish, met after starting their own businesses around a decade ago. Run by primarily female teams, both share a mutual ethos combining the desire to run profitable businesses with a need to care for the planet. “Watch this space for pop-up markets and Off the Beaten Truck street food events organised by Flourish in our shared courtyard,” Gemma tells us. In a somewhat miraculous turnaround, the new Linton Kitchen Bakery was opened within just seven days. How? “Plenty of experience running cafes after being in the industry for 20 years, lots of hard work, very kind and talented friends, incredible staff and an extremely patient dad and husband!” @thelintonkitchen Room to Flourish
GREEN HAVEN The rural setting has always been on Gemma’s radar
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2024 39
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