A new café has just launched in Abney Park and, for the couple running it, it’s a dream come true.
Chef Toby Williams and his wife Lianna Jewell (an events expert) have been running their catering company Sabel for the past nine years and, though the plan was always to turn it into a bricks and mortar business, the arrival of twins put that on hold.
Now the children are eight, when a friend mentioned a community space and café was up for grabs they leapt at the chance.
Abney Park Café by Sabel occupies the new space at the High St end of Abney Park. They’ll serve seasonal café food and drinks; from delicious things on toast to dishes like Smoked Sea Trout with Cucumber, Radishes and Watercress as well as pastries and homemade cakes. There’ll be coffee by Origin, Land Chocolate and homemade soft drinks such as elderflower lemonade.
Lianna said: “We live in Hackney Central and Stokey is quite a different beast. I’ve been going around to local shops and joining local groups – we know this is a beloved park and that people have a real feeling of ownership over it. We are very on board with that and hopefully we get it right!”
Inside, there’ll be seating for 48 people and outside for another 40. Toby has been hard at work making tables for the space. Their friend, renowned artist Archie Proudfoot whose work has featured in the Tate Modern, will be adorning the walls with his artwork. There’s a quiet space for those wishing to work on laptops.
Toby said: “What we both aspire to do is serve really good food for the right setting; the right things for the right time – food for the moment that suits the setting.
“We’re funding this from our savings – it does feel a bit scary but it’s hopefully a positive and natural extension of what we already do.”
The Abney Park Trust shop will also have a space in the café and a large community room named after the visually impaired teacher Harriet Delph, who’s buried in the cemetery here, will be available for hire for parties, workshops and more. The Council plans to use the garden for outdoor learning.
Toby has worked in several Michelin Starred restaurants and their catering business in Leyton provides fine dining for weddings, festivals and corporates. They hope to offer their food to couples getting married in Abney Chapel.
Lianna added: “The café and community space are really gorgeous; our big opening event was a Beano party for our children’s eighth birthday; with lots of pranks.
“The kids will be spending a lot of time with us here this summer- playing on the grassy area! They’re going to get good at washing up! They’re very excited – they’re both food fans!”
Sabel will be open from 8am till 4pm daily and in time the team hope to extend the opening hours till 8.30pm during the summer. The space will be dog-friendly, with a free dog biscuit for every human purchase!
Also setting up in the newly created workshops in the cemetery, are candle-makers Wax Atelier and CQ Studio (who turn waste into items for the fashion industry).
A launch event is being held to celebrate the grand opening of the regenerated space from 11am till 3pm on Saturday July 27.
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