< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY GUSTO HOMES / THE ALLOTMENT KITCHEN & DELI Q&A Can you tell us about the inspiration behind The Allotment Kitchen & Deli? Absolutely! I wanted to create an inclusive space that serves authentic, tasty, nutritious food. In recent years it feels there has been a gradual shift towards processed foods and food that just don’t have that same care and attention as a homemade recipe, not only at home but also when dining out. This has been the driving force behind my catering business over the last 5 years, where I have developed a service that provides comfort food options with real ingredients and lots of hidden good stuff. It is exciting to see this journey continue into a bricks and mortar space to benefit the people of Collingham. What’s on the menu? Is there anything in particular that makes The Allotment different? We will be a fully plant-based venue but will very much be offering food for all. As our name suggests, the menu will be a little different to your average coffee shop. In addition to the usual coffee, tea, and cake that you’d expect to find, we will have a menu packed with freshly made salads, sandwiches and hot food options for breakfast and lunch using locally sourced ingredients. We are keen to provide an inclusive space that caters for everyone, with a range of tasty options to help our customers eat well and reduce their impact on the environment. Can you walk us through your process for sourcing ingredients and ensuring their quality and sustainability? ‘The Allotment’ will have sustainability at the heart of every service provided, with a firm focus on using locally sourced ingredients to make tasty comfort food packed with good stuff. Everything served will be made in house using fresh produce to ensure that we evolve with the seasons and provide a really considered approach to our food. We will grow some of our own produce for use in the kitchen, which will take a little time to become established, so we have some brilliant local growers on board to support us too. In addition to this, we will be linking up with the local allotment Q&A The Allotment Kitchen & Deli As the warm weather creeps in, we may all want to take a break to eat out and enjoy the summer – but it can be difficult to balance that with the desire to eat healthily. This month we speak with Gemma Whitelock at “The Allotment”, which is opening this month in Collingham promising food that is both healthy and delicious. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 31 GUSTO HOMES / THE ALLOTMENT KITCHEN & DELI Q&A association to make use of their surplus veggies in exchange for items in the café. What catering services will you be offering and what events do you typically cater for? We will have a full catering service with a range of packages on offer including options for corporate away days, meetings, as well as private events and wellbeing retreats. The catering menus have been specifically designed to provide an inclusive, sustainable, and nutritious food offer that reflects the quality of the food served in the café. How will you be managing and reducing food waste, and what role will the allotments play in this process? With a firm eye on sustainable sourcing, we have a clear plan for reducing our waste too. We will be making full use of our vegetable waste and coffee grounds to compost and feed our raised beds. Any additional compost generated beyond what we need as a business will be shared with the local growers of Collingham. Can you tell us about your meal prep products and how they can benefit customers looking for healthy and convenient meal options? From working with a diverse range of customers over the last 5 years, I’ve developed healthy nutritious veg- focussed recipes that definitely don’t compromise on taste. The meal prep products and ready meals available through ‘The Allotment’ will have the same care and attention as everything served in house and will help you to love eating healthier options in a more convenient way. How will you be engaging with and giving back to the local community? It is important that we have a positive impact within the local community, not only by providing a welcoming inclusive space for people to come and enjoy tasty food, but also to help raise awareness and support local causes too. Over the last year I have been actively supporting the community in Collingham, raising money for the food pantry through sales of our healthy ‘Food Bank Burgers’ at local Newark and Sherwood United FC home matches. This partnership will continue, and we plan to further support the food pantry’s essential work through fundraising events and giving the ‘Food Bank Burger’ a permanent position on our café menu. This is very much the start of our journey supporting the local community in and around Collingham. For further details on our opening times and catering services you can find us on Instagram @theallotmentcollingham or visit us on www.theallotmentcollingham.co.uk If you’re looking to retire to a vibrant community and like the sound of having ‘The Allotment’ on your doorstep, there are bungalows and apartments available on The Beaufields development in Collingham. Please visit www.beaufields.com email mail@gusto-uk.com or call our agents on 01636 700888. 32 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION As we step into June, we enter the warmer summer months; the perfect excuse to refresh your wardrobe. Changing with the seasons As we step into June, we enter the warmer summer months; the perfect excuse to refresh your wardrobe.LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 33 FASHION Fat Face Fat Face gets you ready for summer with this bold cami top and maxi skirt featuring matching abstract stripes; a fashionable and free-spirited ensemble. 34 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Left: Oliver Bonas Oliver Bonas illustrates how to add some effortless excitement to a floral dress with a vibrant and sheer shirt. Middle: Threadbare With this versatile and understated maxi shirt dress from Threadbare, you’ll breeze through summer with comfort and style. Right: Crew Clothing With a flattering v-neckline, cute cuff sleeves, and a floral pattern, this midi dress from Crew Clothing is paired with leather trainers for a relaxed, pretty look. Opposite: Cotton Traders In light and airy textured seersucker fabric that will keep you cool in warm weather, this blouse from Cotton Traders with adorable lemon embroidery can be easily tucked in to jeans, trousers, shorts, or a skirt for a sweet, summery vibe. 36 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Above: Aspiga A lightweight shirt is ideal for hotter days, such as Aspiga’s Cecilia Shirt, perfect for every day wear, whether paired with jeans, chinos, shorts or a skirt. Top right: Joe Browns A chic jacket or blazer is a brilliant way to gain some extra style points for your ensemble, as Joe Browns shows with this bright blue piece. Right: Barbour With its yellow checked Addison Top in a vintage swing shape, featuring wide, gathered shoulder straps, Barbour presents a jolly, youthful look here. Above: Taifun Taifun presents a cool, calm and collected aura with this creamy culottes and blazer combination. Top right: Gerry Weber Often when creating an outfit, the bottom half is overlooked, with the choice of top the eye-drawing factor. Why not switch it up as Gerry Weber does here with these vibrant, funky trousers. Right: Samoon This fine shirt dress from Samoon carefully balances elegance, with its concealed button placket and straight fit, with a casual touch in its denim look. Oliver Bonas Oliver Bonas shows how to add some glamour and fun to an outfit through funky sunglasses and enchanting jewellery. One or two accessories can really make your outfit dazzle. Time to Time toLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 39 FASHION 17 Market Place, Louth, LN119PD info@striacroft.co.uk 01507 604029 www.striacroft.co.uk Family Jewellers Established in Louth Since 1979 Large selection of Diamond, Gold & Silver Jewellery Nomination Retailer Agents for Citizen, Iron Annie, Zeppelin, Lorus & Kronaby Watches Pre Owned Rolex & Omega Watches Jewellery & Watch Repairs. One & Eight This gorgeous Gold Double Charm Verona Necklace from One & Eight adds an elegant flash of pizazz to any look. Sophie Allport A straw hat, such as this from Sophie Allport, is the perfect summer accessory and is sure to make a statement. DITA Beautifully blending the line between modern and retro, these gold and grey aviator frames from DITA will help add that effortlessly cool air to your outfit. Head down to O’Brien’s Opticians in Brigg or visit http://obriensopticians.co.uk/ for your own pair. Crew Clothing These nude, backless loafers from Crew Clothing featuring a classic tassel can be slipped on easily with jeans or a skirt to enhance a casual outfit. Ørgreen Sleek and stunning, a pair of glasses like these from Ørgreen can transform your appearance. Find this pair, or one similar, at O’Brien’s Opticians in Brigg or http://obriensopticians.co.uk/ Fable England Artist Catherine Rowe sprinkles her magic onto this handbag with her fairytale print Into The Woods, designed especially for Fable England. Featuring a silky twilly scarf wrapped around the handle, the spacious, forest green bag is ideal whether going out shopping, on a date night, or to weekend dinners with friends. LORE In a bangle style, these bracelets by South African designer, Pichulik Africa, available from LORE, can be stacked to your heart’s content. Vibrant ropes are woven together with colourful yarns to create a playful piece that will brighten up your ensemble. Lucy Sylvester Take the beachy look a step further this summer with some fun earrings, like this pair of dog whelk shells from Lucy Sylvester. Next >