Food & Drink Awards 2018

Page 100 www.lux-review.com LUX 2018 Food & Drink Awards The Grocer at 5 is part of the Grocer Shops company, which offers a unique and informal dining option to clients in Amersham & Gerrards Cross. We profile the company and its innovative concept to find out more. The Grocer at 5 Best Artisan Deli & Cafe 2018 - Buckinghamshire The Grocer Shops were first opened almost 6 years ago when ‘The Grocer at 91’ welcomed its first customers to its establishment at the end of the High Street in Old Amersham They had an instinct that customers would enjoy the style of informal food and artisan coffee they loved in London but couldn’t find locally. The idea for their name came from the discovery that 100 years before the shop had been a neighbourhood grocery store. Since 2012 the group has added more shops to the business, a second in Old Amersham, The Grocer at 15 and a third in Gerrards Cross, The Grocer at 5. Although each shop is a little different they strive to create the same relaxed and informal environment the brand has become known for. For the Grocer team there are three things that they believe help them differentiate their offer. The consistency of their product, the attitude of the people who work with them and the thoughtfulness of their hospitality. They are really particular about the about the quality of their ingredients, the people that join the team. and the suppliers they work with. They always want to offer food that tastes really good and coffee, made by their talented baristas to bring out the rich and varied flavours of the espresso blend supplied by Ozone Coffee Roasters. A great example of a supplier working in partnership with the Grocer team they help with training and development to ensure that the baristas can make the most of their product. The Grocer team are always a priority - they’re the face of The Grocer and the team look for people who have a great attitude as they are always up for learning new skills. Teaching new team members about hospitality, such as noticing customer’s needs, remembering regular customer’s orders and making time for conversation (as long as there’s not a queue), takes time but is always worthwhile as it makes the work more fulfilling and the customers benefit from great service. It’s an exciting time to be part of the growing coffee shop market. By 2020 it’s estimated there will be 21,000 outlets with sales of £8.5bn. Whilst a large proportion of these are chains, in recent research conducted by Allegra coffee track, Independent coffee shops achieved the highest total excellence scores from their customers as they delivered better on customer focus. Approximately 60% of consumers will visit a coffee shop at least once a week, so there are plenty ofcustomers to go around, however the Grocer team know that they still need to differentiate the offer to ensure they retain and continue to grow their customer base. It’s the quality and flavour of the food which they believe really helps them stand out. Whether having a healthy lunch with a friend choosing a selection of freshly made salads, coffee and cake from the choice of locally made bakes or a family brunch with as much avocado, feta, chili and lime or the chain’s signature Grocer breakfasts as you could want they’ve always got something that tastes great! As a people business it is important to have clear ways of working which the management team try to make as straightforward as possible. New team members learn alongside more experienced colleagues to take pride in giving the best possible service. The business use technology where it helps them to be more efficient but always aiming to support the team so that they can concentrate on running the shops well. They also prioritise health and safety and make sure that everyone gains their food hygiene certificates. They’ve recently introduced an enhanced allergens qualification to improve knowledge and awareness for the whole team. One of the most exciting aspects of the hospitality industry is that it’s always evolving. The management team constantly follow how similar businesses that they admire develop their offer, as it sparks their thinking about new ideas. The team know that it is really important to offer real choice for our customers. More and more people ask about different food options and they like to have something for everyone, whether that’s an awesome Chocolate fudge cake, that happens to be vegan, a delicious Moroccan orange cake that’s gluten free or a choice of soy, oat or almond milk to make sure everyone can enjoy the taste of their freshly ground coffee. They hope that a visit to any of their cafes is always an enjoyable experience so that customers will return time and again. Company: The Grocer at 5 Address: 5 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8ES, UK Phone: 01753 883943 Website: www.thegrocershops.co.uk