HAPPY EASTER!!

Am a firm believer of being immaculate with whatsoever your doing and this is not a weakness rather than pride of what you do. Sometimes you can get pressure from people who may not understand but I would rather take steps that am comfortable with than rushing. Having said that, it’s frustrating to have to put things forward as in the case of the coffee shop, that is four days late of its opening day. It’s Easter now, just like that and little time to put one, two, and three together. I am drained, wasted from all the work of renovation and honestly feel like a cabbage. Why would someone in the right mind put himself or herself through such hassle? For the love of it am guessing. Yes for the love of it “labor of love” or it would not be worth. I also feel I have brought a lot of memories to the shop without realizing it, but glad with the end results. There are still a few things here and there to do but like my friend says, Rome was not build in one day so I take comfort in that. Officially, Crave Kitchen is now open, two days on and slowly getting there with loads of support from people all over. It’s amazing how comforting that is and to feel part of this community that is so alive and vibrant. As promised, I have shared some photos of the shop and I hope I can keep this up. Even though am open over the festive season, I hope to indulge as much as I can, if I can. So this long holiday weekend I can only wish for this few things

I wish that….

·      I can hung out with friends and forget about the early mornings, sleep late, and laugh as much

·      I could get away or go on a road trip far away and sleep outside under the stars

·      Spend time alone, energize and listen to music like cold play, Tabu Ley or anything on that line

·      Ride my bike, sweat it out, because my body craves some serious cardio workout

·      Work on a coffee table idea that I have been planning to get started with, for my house

I wish you all a very happy Easter break and stay safe. Till next time I blog….HAPPY EASTER!!!!

THE LITTLE SHOP!!

.......Lots of thoughts are buzzing around my head as I prepare to launch/open this little shop in a small town. I have dreamt of this day many of time and as the time gets closer, it all seems to go a bit too quick than anticipated. It has not been an easy sailing, most would think, but a road filled with so many trails. Many of which are self-inflicted, yes good to admit when it’s your own doing and others from life, as we know it. But I have crossed those bridges, burnt others and I hope that the tides don’t through me too far off course. It’s back to basic, small steps, before I can really breath out, still holding my breath lol. Yes, many thoughts like- is the menu right? Is it interesting? Is it understandable? Is it priced well and how will people react to all this? Yes lots of questions. Will all the ideas that I have on my head come together and create that ambiance that I have so well place somewhere at the back of my mind come to life or will it all slowly disappear and get carried away, without keeping to the plan? Who will come and what will they say? Lots and lots of thoughts and as healthy as it should be, its also a massive risk as any one would tell you about business. But I got encourage along the way, when I went to see a friend and just as we were chatting away, about a cake she wanted for her birthday (very persistent at this point mind you), I saw this old magazine that was lying around her desk. I always get intrigued by interior design magazines, just like cook books give me such joy, no matter how old they are, for they are filled with so much inspiration and hence that eager interest to dig in and flip pages looking for that eye catching photo/article of something different and new.  I come across an article about Kelly Hoppen and her philosophy where she says, “ I never spend time worrying that something wont work.  But if it doesn’t, I don’t waste an extra second on it.  I move on to something else” How could I fail before I started? I let it sink in and positive thinking henceforth. Two weeks I give myself to renovate (but really, who am I kidding probably more) all hands on, as I am doing most work, very enjoyable like painting and details to my satisfaction. I truly hope to breathe some life to this cute shop and after all this, get down to the real task ahead…cooking. It’s the main thing and surely what I enjoy most. There is stocks to be made, sauces that need attention, mis en place which will be a lot when your first stocking up, labeling, baking oh baking the best part I guess as I have come to really know the satisfaction/ therapy that comes along with it. But I know it all comes down to if the customers can say a good thing about what they have eat and doing so, give you that trust that we all treasure. Almost like a green light or approval stump that goes a long way. It’s everything because without trust, then what have you got? I hope to capture the moment and the crowd for that matter and star a bit of curiosity in all this. But for now, till next time I blog, happy cooking to all or happy painting like in my case!!!! JJJ

SOME LOVELY CAKES!! yum

Today's delivery to the Coffee Zone Cafe... maybe your missing out on some much needed sugar attention. If so, head to this lovely cafe. See the post below for directions.

One of my favourite. Vanilla  iced cake, just because it's simple and goes down well with almost any sort of drink you have. I have used rainbow cream cheese frosting, very generous,  just so you can purely indulge...

Another favourite is this simple cake, lemon drizzle. Sometime i find the best cakes are simple ones, classic cake that stand the times....

Not the best photo taking, probably because i was deciding wether to have a peace and clam some sort of accident.  Not to worry, it made it in one peace. Black forest cake, would prefer to use fresh cherries, socked in some alcohol, but none available. Still, it did the trick with this glazed ones. 

"THE CAFE ABOVE A PETROL STATION"

When we blog, I feel it’s only right that you talk about other places that are inspiring and doing something different and original. So I make it a point to talk about those places I visit and have that thing to make me go back again and again. I also will blog about those places that we supply too and sell our products because they are supportive to the growth of our business. I know its weird time, at 2am in the morning with a coffee and my laptop. Not that I can’t sleep but I bake at this unfriendly hours and while waiting for the last of it to come out of the oven, I find myself thinking about that little café near a place called “44” reasons I know not of why its called so.

Just above a petrol station, is a café called Coffee Zone owned by a very friendly guy who am getting to know more daily because I deliver cake to him for his shop. I discovered it when I come to fill up my car and it was such a lovely day but hot and I needed a drink. So I pull over and use the side stars, I sit and order a drink, coffee to be precise black just the way I love it. I had no expectation because it’s in a very unusual place to be even attempting to do what he does. That is why this is so inspiring to know that you need to be brave sometimes and take a risk, go for it because then, if you don’t, you will never know. The service is very friendly and it makes you forget where you are, warm and inviting from the moment you sit, it feels like home. I would recommend the pork that comes with some fried greens and chapatti. It’s amazing and I never seem to get feed up of the staff or the ambiance. Our cakes fill their shelves and you will find all sort of goodies their, from a simple iced vanilla cake to a carrot cake, lemon drizzle, chocolate cake, scones with jam and cream and more as we change the variety daily so there is always something to find that is exciting and fresh. For now this is my little hide away when I need something homely cooked but as much as this obsession lingers in my mind, I will have to dot off because my scones smell ready and its time they left the oven to the cooling rack and for me to have a well deserved shower and a little snooze before I get up early and ice some of my bakes and make my usual deliveries to varies local shops around!!

ABOUT CRAVE KITCHEN & BAKERY

… Well, Crave Kitchen & Bakery has made some baby steps. It’s a new environment, new people, new experiences and more fresh foods. It’s been quite awhile since I have cooked but anyway, there is not much lost. I have reconciled back with my culture, am back to my homeland and retracing my footsteps. Yes, the streets have surely changed, people’s tastes have evolved and for me this is an opportunity to enhance Kenyan food with a bit of new taste.

My concept has always been fresh food and bakes everyday. This concept still applies especially with readily available organic fresh produce everywhere you go; there is every reason to take advantage. Crave Kitchen & Bakery is much alive with the idea of not only a shop but we are spreading our wings to outside catering, private cake orders (Go ahead make that order), We get it fresh, we make it tastier, FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY!!!

<<Hello>>

I am a chef by trade and a perfectionist by heart. I blog about Crave Kitchen and other places that inspire me. Some places u find by luck or you just stumble on them by chance. If they leave a wonderful memory, then its worth blogging about. I love beautiful thing, like fresh food, cooked with care and love for travelling, local places and people, who know how to joke and laugh out loud. The art also, especially traditional  and love,  because its presence is undeniable ....

Blogging is part of a crave for Crave Kitchen...