The Department of Coffee, Western Cape

The view of Khaylistsha from the train station. The Department of Coffee is clearly visible (the big red building)

Travelling around South Africa can be rather frustrating as it seems like everyone is scared of being mugged, raped, hijacked, kidnapped or…. even murdered! Yes it’s a problem here, but it does feel like the whole security thing is a little too hyped up. Most of the people who advice against certain modes of transport or visits to “dodgier” parts of town tend to be the ones that rely on hear-say rather then actual experience to make their naïve judgments. I was told NEVER to get in the local minibus/taxis, but when asked if they’d even set foot in one, the reply was “No way!”. This segregation is what prevents and restricts the breakdown of social stigma. It’s not really spoken about, but there is still a great deal of racism in South Africa. I have seen it and experienced it. Some may sadly believe it’s part of daily life. Ultimately it is inhibiting the country from moving forward.

  

After the forced removal of 60,000 black and coloured residents from the inner city area of Cape Town in the 1970s, the evicted residents were forced to find elsewhere to settle. The black community moved to the numerous townships that surrounded the city. Since then, little has changed and the Western Cape still remains racially segregated twenty years after apartheid ended. Inner city Cape Town remains a predominantly “white area”, whilst the surrounding townships are nearly all “back areas”.  

Khayelitsha is one of these areas and is the largest and fastest growing township in the country. It has had a great deal of bad press recently as it remains the only township with a growing rate of violent crimes as well as being the township where Annie Dewani was murdered. The estimated population is 400,000 with less then 5% being over 50 year of age and around 40% being under the age of 19. The population is young and majority of the new residents are rural to urban migrants. Unsurprisingly, unemployment is considerably high bringing with it problems with drugs and alcohol abuse.

Tours around Khayelitsha and other townships are starting to pop up and are actually proving to be rather popular with “adventurous” tourists. Volunteers have also started to flock in to help out in township orphanages and schools. These initiatives only target the “foreign tourist” market though and does little to breakdown barriers with Cape Town residents.

Frustrated by the divide and the problems faced in their township, three young lads from Khayelitsha got together with the Ministry of Service Delivery to come up with a solution using the skills and resources they had available to them. Vuyile Msaku, Wongama Baleni, and Vusumzi Mamile set up the Department of Coffee as a way of regenerating their area. The concept is simply to have a hub where people from all backgrounds can meet over a coffee. Their slick look, strong brand identity and even stronger coffee has proven to be a success with both locals and Cape Townies alike. Based opposite Khaylitsha’s only train station and on the bottom floor of the VPUU (Violence Preventions Through Urban Upgrading) building, the boys are in an easily accessible location where they can target local businesses, anyone coming off the train, and most importantly youth seeking advice.

The prices at Department of Coffee are extremely reasonable (a cup of coffee in town = R22)

The guys are all professionally trained baristas who use only the finest arabica beans from Ethiopia which are roasted locally and ground freshly using only the best equipment. The menu is extensive, offering a variety of coffee, teas, hot chocolate and muffins. Currently they are trying out a range of “red” beverages, made from loose Rooibos leaves that are used in the same way as you would ground coffee. The outcome is surprisingly sweet and refreshing, proving popular with visitors.

Like most good coffee shops, the Department of Coffee deliver to local businesses, the local court house, local hospital, and even make special Muffin Runs to children’s homes where they hand out muffins bought with money donated by their customers. The best bit is, their products are modestly priced, making it affordable for the average Khaylitshan resident. As history has shown, the most successful enterprises are the ones that know their market inside out, including knowing how to price their products appropriately.

It seems like since they started a year ago Vuyile, Wongama, and Vusumzi have done some great things, and it doesn't seem like they want to stop. They have started to hold monthly CoffeeMobs which aims at bringing people from Cape Town to Khaylitsha via a free train service. The event includes local music artists, arts and crafts and of course great coffee. But more importantly it is a chance for the people of Khaylitsha and Cape Town to mingle over a shared appreciation for all things good. Last month a group of Cape Town cyclists decided to organise a bikeathon from the city to the coffee hub that helped raise money for regeneration projects in the township. Talking to Vuyile, I was told they were hoping to expand by opening another Department of Coffee where they would have a sit down service where they could also serve hot food.

The Department of Coffee, a growing franchise 

There’s no doubt that these guys are super ambitious and it’s rubbing off on the youth in Khaylitsha who have seen what can be accomplished with a bit of determination and the right guidance. The boys not only serve as amasszing baristas, they also offer advice and support for the youth of the township. We are reminded that when it comes to making a difference in the community, it is ultimately left up to the people of that community to make that change.

Cape Town has been named the Design Capital of the world 2013/14 and they are specifically looking for designs that solve social, cultural and environmental issues. I can’t think of a better nomination then the Department of Coffee. Their well thought out concept has been marketed incredibly well. Through the use of facebook, local media and most importantly word of mouth, the organisation has become something worth finding out about. This has attracted attention from coffee loving Cape Townies and from the local youth who so desperately need role models to look up to. The idea has been successful for it’s simplicity and effectiveness to focus on their main issue: “breaking down the wall between Cape Town and Khayelitsha.” Nothing can stop these guys and from the looks of it, the Department of Coffee is bound for great things. 

Milton Keynes, Eat Independent

It’s a shame Milton Keynes has a bad reputation amongst it’s non-inhabitants. Most only come to Milton Keynes for retail therapy, which generally means indoor shopping and pit stopping in places not unique to the city. The majority of visitors dare not explore further out of their comfort zones, as god forbid… they could end up lost on our confusing grid system. Going loopy round our many roundabouts. A general assumption is that Milton Keynes is a modern town/city with seemingly no culture or character cursed/blessed with a high concentration of high street chains and restaurants.

If one does dare to venture past this superficial façade, one may notice Milton Keynes is changing. Since its creation 35 years ago, Milton Keynes has matured and is developing it’s own identity. It is an homage to post-modern Britain. The town is inspiring a new generation, and unlike other towns in the country, our inspiration is rather unique. With the majority of the city’s residents having roots outside the county and even the country, the diversity and multiculturalism of Milton Keynes is rather unique.

So how does this relate to food? Well, as I’ve been living in Milton Keynes on/off for most of my life, I have made observations the best way I make them… by eating.

Filter pass the Wetherspoons and Nandos and you will see a town that reflects the stories of the people who live in this unique city.  My story of Milton Keyes will be told through the eye’s of the eateries that have withstood the competition from the big chains that dominate Milton Keynes. Concepts that have been chosen by the people over the big names. The survival of these establishments over the years speaks volumes for what this city is about. Owning a food business anywhere in the world is difficult, but I think this is especially hard in a city where capitalism and corporations have had a huge part to play in the development of the city.

The following places deserve great recognition, and play a vital role in making Milton Keynes a unique Foodie’s town.   

All eating establishments are within a 5mile radius of the city and they are all INDEPENDENT. Please send forward any other suggestions you may have. My chosen eating establishments goes as follows:

Percy's

Concept: Mouth watering American BBQ food delivered to your door

Must Try: Pork-Which, Pulled pork in flat bread

Average price: £10 per person

Chipotle bean burger, hand pulled pork in a flat bread, home fries, Percy's slaw

Percy’s is a small company established only a year and a half ago. It is doing extremely very well given the economical circumstances, however this is not at all surprising. The concept is a winning idea and has been designed cleverly to appeal to the Milton Keynes market. This has deservedly been recognised by the Natwest Smarta Awards; which named Percy’s one of the top 100 small business in the UK for 2011. For such a young business to be so successful in it’s early stages is rare. So what are they doing right? Well, firstly, Percy’s isn’t your usual takeaway. The American BBQ themed company deliver great quality food to your door. Their menu has a great range without being annoyingly extensive, and even better, there are things on the menu you would be hard push to find anywhere else in Milton Keynes without paying a price. Generous fillings, innovative food, and great quality makes Percy’s a brain child built out of love for good food. Percy’s cleverly fills the missing gap in the Milton Keynes food market and it’s defiantly catching on fast! 

Tai Pan

Concept: Authentic Chinese food, Dim Sum Lunch

Must Try: Crispy cheng fung, Black been and chilli spare ribs, Crispy prawn dumplings 

Average price: £7 per person

Dim Sum at Tai Pan

Not many people know Tai Pan do Dim Sum lunch seven days a week. The people who do know are regulars, and regulars at Tai Pan tend to be Chinese. This can only be a good sign as Milton Keynes has had its fair share of boom and bust Chinese restaurants. Tai Pan has stuck around for a while, and has witnessed great change around it. Situated in the Theatre District, it has a prime location, especially for an independent restaurant.

As lovers of Dim Sum know, it’s a light affair, mainly consisting of a few dishes and essentially accompanied with tea. It’s delicate, flavourful and doesn't leave you feeling sluggish. These attributes make it a perfect lunchtime treat. The waiters are friendly and helpful, and do their best to explain what some of the stranger items on the menu are. If, like me, you enjoy taking risks with your food, there is plenty to experiment with. One of the more surprisingly nice risks I have taken in the past is Crispy Cheng Fung, which can only be described as an inverted spring roll: soft on the outside and crispy on the inside. If the next time you’re in town and you fancy Wagamamas… please re-think. Walk a little bit further and get the real deal. You wont have to wait in a horribly long que, you’ll more then likely have some extra change left over and you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Swan Inn

Concept: Fine country pub and dinning

Must Try: Sunday Roast

Average price: £20 per person

The new interior of The Swan Inn

Although The Swan Inn is known by most Milton Keynians, it is not know by all. Since it’s re-opening in November this year The Swan Inn has a growing fan base.  This could have something to do with the revival of good British food. But I also think it’s because The Swan Inn is the only independent pub in Milton Keynes that serves locally sourced, great quality grub in a family friendly environment. I believe that a good pub is a pub that's been around for a while; a place that is welcoming; a place that has history; and a place that is run by the locals for the locals. With the exception of The Swan, this criteria is not met in Milton Keynes, this maybe due to the fact it is a relatively new city and that most of the pubs are chains.

The Swan Inn is the oldest pub in Milton Keynes, and I think this has a great deal to do with it’s success. It is a proper pub… yes it may be bordering on to gastro pub, but that's the only way it’ll every get people in from further a field. The food is great, portions are generous, there’s a great selection of beers and wine, and the service is always friendly. If you’re tired of sitting in faux Tudor interiors (when really nothing can hide the fact that your in an angular 60’s cube) and you want to escape from the horribly dubious fact that your Sunday roast has been cooked by a microwave technician; get yourself over to the Swan Inn and get your smackers around some proper substance.

Veggie World

Concept: Pure-Vegetarian oriental cuisine

Must Try: Veggie crispy duck, Rendang curry, Crispy shredded beef

Average price: £10 per person

 

Veggie crispy duck

Salt and pepper tofu, crispy shredded beef, Rendang curry,  fired rice

This is my risk taker. I now most non-vegetarians reading this will be like “Errr, no thanks. Why have veggie Chinese when I can have a meaty Chinese?” Well, my argument is: why have cheap second quality meat from a takeaway and play twice as much when you can get something ten times taster? And yes… I did say taster. The meat substitutes here are cunningly designed soya or gluten products, which most people see as tasteless, but in truth absorb flavours well and particularly versatile in texture. Nothing like Quorn nor Linda McCartney’s questionable sausages. I can confidently say, some of the meat substitutes are actually better then the real thing. For example, the crispy shredded beef at Veggie World is actually crispy and comes in the most amazing ziny sauce. I know from many disappointing Chinese takeaways that shredded beef can more often then not be tough and chewy, which isn’t very nice at all.

I’ve been going to Veggie World for nearly four years now and have seen it grow in popularity. I know for a fact that a great deal many of their customers are not vegetarian. I also know that people do travel to come to Veggie World. It’s just one of those places: a unique concept in a bizarre location – Bletchley! Alcohol is not served, but you are allowed to bring your own bottle.  

Milton Keynes Market

Concept: Odd bits, new bits and some very tasty bits

Must Try: Jacket Potato Man, Middle Eastern Stall, Dosa Van

Average price: £5

Jacket Potato Man

Sweet stall

Karachi Grill

Dosa Stall

Milton Keynes Market is older then me! And that's old for Milton Keynes. Under the bridges and amongst the pillars is the Milton Keynes market. A compact cluster of vans, stalls, and temporary shops. It’s nothing fancy and it’s defiantly not pretty. But that doesn't matter, cause Milton Keynes market is an electric hub of activity. It reflects the local community and Milton Keynes’s cultural diversity, as markets should. You could easily travel the world with your taste buds at Milton Keynes market: from South Indian dosa; to Middle Eastern wraps; big jacket potatoes cooked in a proper jacket potato oven; quick Chinese take-away; old school sweets and treats; to even a full English fry up. You can get it all at Milton Keynes market. As nice and as fashionable farmer markets are at the moment, I honestly believe home is where the market is, and MK market without it frills is my kind of market. The market is run by locals and it shows the diversity and uniqueness that Milton Keynes has to offer. I highly recommend having a little wonder around, because there are defiantly a few hidden gems and some proper characters lurking amongst the stripy tarpaulin. 

The Water House

A recent visit to The Water House on Regent's Canal, proved to be a gastronomical, educational and environmental experience. I had a essay to write about how I would turn a local eatery into a more ethical and sustainable environment. I did some research and found that London has a great collection of restaurants concerned with providing great food in comfortable surroundings, whilst lowering theirs and our CO2 footprints. Restaurants create a lot of waste, and this is a problem, not only for the environment, but also for the restaurant's efficiency. The Water House has won awards for coming up with smart ways to get around this. Every little detail has been carefully thought out to be as ethical as possible. How? Well, lets begin with the unique location. Situated right by Regents canal, and in a the middle of a newly built council block in Hackney, The Water House was part of a regeneration scheme started by The Shorditch Trust. The restaurant serves as a place for local people to come and enjoy a fine-dining experience, for a reasonable price. It also serves as a place for trainee eco-chefs to gain experience. Started by chefs from Jamie Oliver's 15, the strain is on making the chefs think more like gardeners as well as thinking like chefs. This hyper-breed, makes chefs more in tune with the seasonality of food and to think more locally. Food is sourced as local as possible. Most food, beer and wine is sourced within the London area. I got talking to our waitress and she told me even the rice is shipped over to cut down on CO2 emissions. Impressive? I think so. Especially as there was a good selection of food on the menu and everything ordered was a delight to my senses. Not only this, but i felt i was actually doing some good for once by eating out. The menu was laid out well, separating daily specials from monthly specials. For my first course, I order sour dough brochette with a selection of toppings. Once finished with my first course, the left over toppings were left on our table to be consumed at our own leisurely pace. This although, small would make all the difference to a restaurant.

Granted, The Water House aren't trying to win any Michelin stars, they want to create a relaxed environment, where people can come and enjoy good food. This couldn't be more different to a recent visit to The Princess of Shorditch, where although the food was sub-standered fine dinning, the atmosphere in there upstairs restaurant, was stiff, dingy and pretentious. I found i just couldn't let my self relax. I was even more disappointed when I had to fork out money for food i didn't really even enjoy and even more so for feeling unsatisfied. The Water House on the other hand is value for money. The bill did come out to £60, but this was for three courses, a glass of wine, and grappa (yes a shot of grappa after dinner, said to help digestion, but really not worth it) for two people. Not bad at all. I left feeling full and content, and better about life. Even the rain on the walk back to the station wasn't all that bad, knowing it was going to be collected by The Water House to be used in flushing their toilets.

INAMO

I had heard a lot about this new Pan Asian restaurant in Soho, which is supposedly the first ever, and maybe the only, interactive restaurant in the world. I looked up the menu online and liked what I saw, so decided to take my friend who was down in London for the weekend to Inamo. There wasn’t anyone at the doors to greet us, and it took a while for someone to show us how it all worked, but after a short demonstration, we didn’t have to call for a waiter until paying for the bill. Surprisingly there seemed to be as many waiters as there were customers.

The interactive menu was a little hard to navigate, and it was hard to compare dishes and prices. But the projection of your selected dish on your place mat was rather nice. Ordering food was really simple and reduces the time for indecisiveness. Whilst waiting for your food there were games to play, designs to pick for your table ambience, and even a chef cam. We were having so much fun with our interactive touchpad, we were surprised at how fast the food came out.

I ordered the Cinnamon Chicken with rice, my friend ordered the Black Faced Lamb which and rice, and we had the Crunchy Salad to share. The food was delicious. Like a lot of pan asian food, it was experimental and had some really interesting combinations like moromi miso and lamb.

Over all, it was reasonably priced (£50) between the two of us. We didn’t have space for dessert, but this was probably a good thing as all they had were ice-creams. I thought they would have some desserts which were equally as impressive as the rest of their menu.