It's not just about the coffee.... I like food as well....!

You may have guessed from the content of this blog that, as well as being a great fan of coffee, I also very much enjoy the food as well. You may also have picked up on the fact that my other passion in life (and business) is photography. Sometimes I have the pleasure of seeing both worlds collide, sometimes in rather spectacular fashion.
One such occasion was when I was recently asked to do some food photography for a local, and rather well-known chef, to illustrate his regular feature in the Manchester Evening News.
I was faced with a procession of exquisite looking dishes, ranging from starters, through mains, and onto some delightful desserts, one of which was a rather amazing Mille Feuille, which I also had the awesome privilege of eating at the end of the shoot.
As the memory of the dessert has remained with me ever since, and the requirement to go and take some character shots of the aforementioned chef for a local charity function he was involved in arose, my (slightly twisted) mind put the two together with a somewhat bizarre idea to reproduce a well-known tourist photograph theme. I had already noticed the similarity between the structure of the Mille Feuille and the layered construction of the leaning tower of Pisa, and the idea came quite smoothly in the wee hours of the morning (as such ideas often do). Having finished the charity shots, in various outfits, I politely asked Mr Nutter (his real name!) to stand in a certain position which enable the necessary adjustments to be made later that day. Since the finished picture surfaced, Andrew has used it as his Twitter profile photo (and is still currently doing so to date), and has had a life-sized cardboard cutout made of it to stand in his restaurant.
This pretty much sums up the facts that a) food can be fun and b) you can have a lot of fun at work.

For more of me:

www.howardwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

http://howardwilkinsonphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/HowardWilkinsonPhotography

Twitter: @photographyman

Instagram: howard_photographyman

For more of Andrew Nutter:
www.nuttersrestaurant.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/nutsfood
https://twitter.com/NuttersOfficial

One of the best coffee photos I have ever seen..

You have probably already guessed that one of my favourite things in life is coffee. My other (and main) passion is photography, which I now have the pleasure of doing as my full-time work. I also love looking at photographs that other people have taken, both for enjoyment, and inspiration.
This morning, a friend in a Facebook group shared a photo of his for the day's theme, which is not only an exceptional photographic capture, but involves my other passion, coffee. With his permission, I have great pleasure in sharing it with you. I'm sure you will agree that it is an awesome shot. Nice one Mr Mike Killy!

Shelly B's Cafe, Rochdale

This particular cafe is argued to serve the best breakfast in Rochdale. I have not tried them all, but can only vouch for the fact that it would take a lot of beating.
Today's visit was for lunch with a friend (he was paying, so even better!). I opted for the gammon, egg, chips and peas, which at £4.50 is excellent value for money and, as you can see from the photos, very nicely done. In fact, writing about it now, just three hours later, I could happily go back in and eat it again (that definitely doesn't mean it did not fill me, just that it tasted so good).
A very recent addition to the cafe is a new coffee machine, which I have left far too long to go and sample. Just another reason for dropping in today.
The picture does not quite show the ample proportions, and a good sized cup is always a good thing.
Taste of the blend used is similar to a Starbucks flavour, so will appeal to many and, with a good frothy foam, generous chocolate sprinkle and appropriate strength for a cappuccino, made for a very enjoyable experience.
Close to both the bus station and the town centre tram station (2 minute walk), this is an ideal place to start of a visit to the town with a good breakfast, break for a hearty lunch, or finish off with a coffee before heading home.
If you do call in, say hello to Shelly from me!
Comes highly recommended.

Norden Deli Coffee Shop

Having watched the development of the new coffee shop on Facebook, I decided it was time to go and sample the delights.
What a pleasant experience it was too....
Lovely design to the completely new build, with a glazed front and skylights, mixed with the lovely oldy-worldy feel of aged wooden tables and steelwork fittings.
As well as being a coffee shop, they serve afternoon teas, tapas, and pizzas (cooked in the lovely wood-burning pizza oven, see photo), and host numerous events for children, parties (including weddings), baby bistro and tapas evenings.
Well worth a drop in, you may well find you feel the need to go back again, and again.

Links:
Facebook page for the coffee shop
Howard Wilkinson Photography
Howard Wilkinson Photography Facebook Page

The Best Tea Room in the UK - The Blitz Tea Room, Kettering

While in Kettering today, we had the pleasure of visiting the tea room voted "Best in the UK" last year.
The Blitz Tea Room, is a magical trip back in time to war-time Britain, complete with taped windows, air raid sound effects, and menus designed like ration books.
It has a real period feel, and is a very nice place to spend time with family/friends, and enjoy afternoon tea, a light snack, or just a cup (or pot) of tea/coffee.
I hope the pictures do it justice, and I can only recommend a visit as an absolute must.
The staff are friendly, smiley and chatty, and the food is very good quality.
The coffee...  reason for this blog. I went for a large Mussolini cappuccino. Tasty blend, perfect strength, and nice froth. Happy Howard!
For more details follow this link: http://www.the-blitz.com/

 The tea-timer!! :

The Victorian Sweet Shop & Tea Rooms, Glazebury

It's always nice to come across a new cafe unexpectedly, and today was just one of those days.
By-passing our usual stopping point in the area, we came across this delightful place.
Parking right outside, a very inviting frontage, and pleasant, friendly and very helpful staff were all a very good start.
The totally delicious home-made pies (I had chicken, ham and leek, my wife had the meat and potato), and the lovely coffee made for two very happy faces.
An olde-style sweet shop area, where you can still order in ounces (as that is what the scales measured in) just about finished it off perfectly, and added a few pounds to the bill (and probably the waist-line, but who cares!).
I can only recommend a visit... soon!

The Fairview Inn, Rochdale

After spending some time with my big sister and her family, partaking of the tremendous carvery on offer (no room for pudding, unfortunately), we moved to the outside patio area to enjoy a coffee and, (for the wife, nephew and niece) a pudding.

The name of the establishment sums up it's location and, as you can see from the photo, there is a fair old view across the town of Rochdale, to the hills beyond. Perfect for a summer evening.

The cappuccino was very frothy, with a good sprinkle of chocolate powder, and a very nice taste. Looking forward to the next one.

This is now our choice of an easy tea, when we do not want to cook, and I certainly think I will be having a cappuccino next time we go.

For more details, or to book a table, please follow the links below:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK PAGE

A coffee shop for the bucket list..

This looks rather an amazing place...

Time for something a little different...

Having been exceedingly busy with my business of late, I have not been able to get out as much (hopefully due to change soon), so I thought I would share a coffee-related joke that a friend sent to me. Hope you like it.

A group of seniors were sitting around talking about all their ailments at Starbucks.
"My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one.
"Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad; I can't even see
my coffee."
"I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time because my hands are so
crippled," volunteered a third.
"What? Speak up! What? I can't hear you” said one elderly lady.
"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said one,
to which several nodded weakly in agreement.
"My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!" exclaimed another
"I forget where I am, and where I'm going," said another
"I guess that's the price we pay for getting old” winced an old man as he slowly shook his head. The others nodded in agreement
"Well, count your Blessings," said a woman cheerfully. "Thank God we
can all still drive."

CommuniTea Room, Rochdale

I am pleased to say that a new cafe has opened in Rochdale. Set up by a group of local people, and I understand financed by themselves, the CommuniTea Room, is aimed at serving just that, the Community.
As I understand it, all proceeds from the cafe are put straight back into serving the community, providing space and services to those people that need somewhere to go, or someone to talk to. I believe the plans are not yet fully implemented, but they are on their way with them.
I started with an Americano, as this is a better way to judge the pure taste of the coffee blend, and it was a very pleasant-smelling, aromatic flavour, with an almost fruity after-taste.
The next round was a cappuccino, and the pictures show how well that came out. The milkier rendition softened the taste of the cafe rather, but made it slightly more enjoyable, if anything.
The cafe has been very tastefully decorated, and is a pleasant place to be, and the gentleman serving while I was in is worthy of the title.
Going off the coffee, and the very reasonably-priced menu, I can see myself returning quite soon. Not least to try the Chinese chicken-flavoured samosas, that looked rather amazing.

Danczuk's Deli, Rochdale

Always up for trying a new coffee shop, I was left with not many other options(I know, slightly tongue-in-cheek comment), passing time before a business meeting in Rochdale this morning.
Not having been in the lovely little deli/cafe in The Walk yet since it opened recently, I was looking forward to sampling their offering of cappuccino.
I very much enjoyed my visit and will definitely be back in. The cappuccino was one of the best I have had recently, perfect strength (for me) and a good froth (you can't beat a good froth on a cappuccino!). The owner, Karen, was on first name terms with the other patron at the time, and was having a very friendly conversation, to which I was made welcome to join, and the time passed pleasantly and effortlessly before I had to make tracks to a business meeting (in another Rochdale cafe, believe it or not).
Not only is it good to see a new business opening in Rochdale, but great to see one that oozes quality, gives a great service and, most of all (!), serves a very nice cup of coffee.

Tags: Coffee shops in and around Rochdale, photography in Rochdale and Oldham, with Middleton and bill savings for households.


Links: 
Howard Wilkinson Photography - website
Howard Wilkinson Photography - Blog
Howard Wilkinson Photography - Facebook page

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Gordon's Bistro in Gordon Rigg garden centre, Rochdale

Yesterday we paid another visit to Gordon's Bistro, in the award-winning Gordon Rigg garden centre on Kingsway, Rochdale.
I have been there several times, for pleasure, or to hold informal meetings in connection with my businesses.
Yesterday was a family time with one of my sons, and his family, after a lovely walk around Cowm Reservoir, Whitworth, watching the water skiers and having fun times with my grand sons.
A couple of things stood out for in particular, leading me to give them another entry on my blog...
Firstly, the rather cool G logo on the top of my cappuccino, and secondly, a rather impressive example of exceptional customer service.
One member of our group managed to accidentally drop their sandwich on the floor, while trying to share the very generous portion of coleslaw and side salad with someone else. When the waitress realised what had happened, she immediately took the recovered sandwich away and said they would make a completely fresh one. A few minutes later she returned with a freshly-made replacement.
Bearing in mind it was a customer's fault the sandwich was dropped, there was no obligation to replace it, but they did so without thinking about or questioning the situation. Top marks in my reckoning.
The prices are not the cheapest, but the value is excellent, if you know what I mean. Presentation, quality and quantity of food are top notch for a garden centre cafe, and I would thoroughly recommend Gordon's Bistro to anyone.

For details of my businesses, please have see the following links.

www.howardwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

http://howardwilkinsonphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/HowardWilkinsonPhotography

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The Corn Exchange, Manchester

Wasting a little time while my car was in for repair involved a train ride into Manchester and the inevitable coffee stop. Today I decided to venture into the Corn Exchange to enjoy the lovely surroundings, with a coffee courtesy of Caffe Nero, in one of the coolest looking structures I have seen for a coffee shop.
I opted for the cappuccino (to suit the purpose of this blog) as I find the Americano a little on the strong side in Caffe Nero.
It was a good choice, as the frothy milk offset the strength of the coffee nicely, making for a very nice cappuccino, as many are just not strong enough. I was able to sit and enjoy a lovely cup of coffee, while having the extra experience of watching SKY TV record a scene from the comedy series Give Out Girls. Signs around the mall suggested that the public should be aware that they may be filmed while in the building, but I think I was far enough out of view to not appear in the background.

Annie Peaches Tea Room, Lamberts Mill, Rawtenstall

After a lovely walk around Clowbridge Reservoir, my wife and I stopped off at Annie Peaches tea room in Lamberts Mill, Rawtenstall (BB4 7NX) for a spot of lunch and a coffee.
It is a very well presented cafe area within a mill that sells furniture, clothing and gifts (so is worth a visit to look round the other departments as well).
They have a very high (5) hygiene rating, and the place does feel exceptionally clean, bright and airy.
The service is exceptionally good, friendly and polite, and the food looks and tastes very nice indeed.
The cappuccino (got there eventually!) is a little on the small side, but has a good amount of froth, and a good flavour. Maybe a little milky for me, but that is just a matter of taste.
Overall, the cafe is very much to be recommended, and I will certainly be going back, and recommending it.
Here are a few pics, including the Mexican Chicken sandwich that my wife ordered. Couldn't resist the array of colours, complimented by the side salad.

Tags: Coffee shop in Rawtenstall, photography by Howard Wilkinson Photography, wedding portrait and event photographer, also offering commercial photography services.

Bean Coffee Shop, Number One Riverside, Rochdale

Apart from being a completely state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly, and very impressive building, the new municipal building at Number One Riverside, Rochdale, also houses a very nice new coffee shop in the Bean coffee chain.
It is very modern, fresh, bright and airy, and has a full glass wall looking out over the newly restored section of the river Roch, after which Rochdale is named.
The cappuccino was very nice, with an excellent consistency of froth, just the right amount, and a wonderful-tasting coffee underneath. So nice I just had to have seconds!
The Frappe Latte was very nice too (so I was told). And Grumpy Mule fairtrade products used too. Nice.
Well recommended place to enjoy a coffee, or whatever your taste in drinks.

Tags: Coffee and wedding photography in Rochdale by a professional photographer using a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini