Food & Drink Awards 2017

LUX - Food & Drink Awards 2017 7 We have invested in equipment and more staff to make sure that we are still producing the same quality. We have had to double our team, due to the demand, and it is the people are the most important thing.” Regarding the future for Otto’s, Jack is keen to highlight the team’s passion for coffee. Starting to produce its own coffee is the next aim of the team, as Jack alludes to a new partnership which will hopefully bring a whole new dimension to Otto’s. “Ultimately, as we have said we have a massive passion for coffee. We feel the next step of our passion is to start roasting our own coffee. We are going into partnership with a good friend of Otto’s and we will be roasting our own coffee from the new year.” Best Independent Café & Restaurant - Kent Otto’s is an independent coffee house & kitchen based in Sevenoaks. Jack and Nick have a huge passion for all that is food and drink and have worked in the industry for a combined 25 years. We spoke to Jack to find out more about the venue and its customers. Company: Otto’s Contact: Jack Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 37 High Street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1JD, UK Phone: 01732446344 Website: www.ottos.co Otto’s focus on serving specialty coffee, loose leaf teas, fresh juices and smoothies. Its food menus focus on using seasonal food, to produce healthy creative dishes. The establishment prides itself on being a place where everyone is welcome. The team at Otto’s are happy to say that the venue attracts everyone, from all walks of life and are proud to have lots of wonderful regulars. Jack explains how Otto’s always strives for excellence in everything it does. “At Otto’s, we are very lucky to have wonderful staff that have a genuine passion for what they do, and our baristas receive extensive training. Our staff are invited to a tasting of every new menu, and additionally, we are always researching and looking at our peers, other cafes and restaurants to stay fresh and innovative.” Guaranteeing health and safety means collaborating with staff, and Jack tells us how the team all work together to passionately provide the best service possible. “It is of the utmost importance to us that we maintain the highest levels of health and safety. We have numerous checklist and hygiene documents that we have created specifically for Otto’s and follow on a daily basis. “Crucial to our success, we are very lucky to have an amazing team at Otto’s. All of our staff are with us initially because they have a passion for what they do. We like our staff to have the opportunity to express their passion and personality in their role. One of our chefs has been allowed to launch his own pop up Korean tasting menu every other Friday, which is a roaring success. This excellence has led to us winning a Business Award in the Sevenoaks Business Awards in the customer choice category. “Additionally, my Head Chef and Business Partner plays a crucial role in the success of our establishment. Nick joined the Otto’s team 6 months ago and has completely transformed the menus and the kitchen. His skill and knowledge are a key part of the back bone of Otto’s and we are very lucky to have him.” Working within such a competitive industry, it is important that the establishment is able to stand out from other similar venue’s in the surrounding areas. Jack refers to the fact that the team make sure that the highest standards are kept throughout the venue. “First and foremost, we make sure that our very high standards are maintained. Every coffee and plate of food is not served unless we are 100% happy with it. We always try to offer something different, new and exciting. At Otto’s we have a massive passion for what we do, so in our free time we are always checking out new spots and experimenting with new ideas. “Basically, we work hard all of the time, day in, day out. We know that there will be competition, and so we always make sure we are going the extra mile to stay at the top of the pile.” Drawing on his own personal experience in the food and drink market, Jack mentions what attributes he believes contribute to the success of both Otto’s and his team. Staff are always looking to learn and improve their services, and hard work pays dividends within the sector, according to Jack. “To be a success in this industry, people must stay passionate, stay humble, and always be looking to learn. What we do is not easy, and as such it requires a lot of sacrifice and hard work. Our staff are a huge part of our success, and without them we would not be where we are today. We are so grateful for our wonderful team.” Since Otto’s inception, Jack explains what changes he has seen within the food and drink industry, talking about how client expectations have changed and how the firm has adapted around this. Otto’s has already seen an expansion in its staff in order to match customer demand. “Since we have opened we have got busier every week. Our customers expect the same quality in what we do even when the demand has more than doubled. “What we do is not easy, and as such it requires a lot of sacrifice and hard work. Our staff are a huge part of our success, and without them we would not be where we are today. We are so grateful for our wonderful team.”