Dream gives couple a taste of the good life
IT'S a dream that many people have - opening a stylish cafe in beautiful premises.
But for husband and wife team Tracey Fletcher and Brett Rehling, it has become a reality.
They opened the Kitchen Garden Cafe at the end of 2005 in a former blacksmith's yard and hardware store in York Road in increasingly vibrant and trendy Kings Heath.
It's an unusual business - part shop, part garden centre, part cafe, part restaurant, part entertainment venue.
But underpinning the enterprise is the couple's strong belief that people should eat seasonal, locally produced and - preferably - organic food.
They are also keen to get people growing their own fruit and vegetable.
Kitchen Garden Cafe also reflects their background - Tracey was West Midlands regional organiser of the wildlife group WWW UK and though Brett worked in IT before branching out, he also organised events.
"But it took us two years to find the premises," says father-of-two Brett.
"We wanted a big, old place in the city to show that you can regenerate old buildings successfully."
The car park became a courtyard and the rambling range of buildings were converted into a shop and cafe/restaurant.
He says the couple recognised there was growing interest in seasonal, locally produced food, but wanted to get away from the "lentils and nut roast" image attached to many wholefood restaurants.
Thus the menu at Kitchen Garden Cafe - overseen by new chef Karl Dudley,previouslyincharge ofcatering at Ryton organic gardens near Coventry - is unfussy but tempting.
Starters include dishes such as pan fried herring roe and carpaccio of venison. Main courses include a steamed butternut squash, red onion and rosemary pudding as well as that old favourite, beef bourguignon.
There is a programme of live music, comedy and other events.
It's a labour of love for Tracey and Brett, though one that eats up their time.
"But it's very satisfying," he adds.
When dreams become a reality, that's often the case...
* The Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Road, Kings Heath. 0121 443 4725.
Share
