Over in Mottram, there’s a caravan cafe on top of a hill serving up some absolutely belting Full English fry-ups with stunning views to match.
Called Bee’s Coffee Pot, it has slowly been growing as a favourite amongst locals since 2020 when co-owners Natalie and Toni Bagley decided to convert their old caravan, formerly used to take Toni to horse shows, into a kitchen.
First opened on October 23, 2020, right in the midst of the Covid pandemic, its middle-of-nowhere location on their family farm was perfect for attracting those enjoying the outdoors at a time when it was incredibly difficult to do much inside.
Nearly three years on, its following continues to grow – with foodies travelling from all over to sample their famous loaded fry-ups and breakfast baps.
The cafe is named after Toni, who had been a model in London prior to the pandemic appearing in campaigns for the likes of Burberry and Hugo Boss. Taking her childhood nickname Bee, given to her whilst at nursery, it’s even cuter than we first thought.
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The pair decided to open after a long period of furlough, with Natalie keen to throw in the towel and try something new after over 20 years working in pharmaceutical medicine.
At first, it was slow going – taking them seven months to pull in enough money to become VAT registered. But over time, the women created a community of customers – and even found themselves inundated with letters and gifts as those struggling through the pandemic shared appreciation for the peace that a trip to Bee’s gave them.
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Bee’s Coffee Pot might’ve only made £1 in its first week but as time has gone on its fanbase has grown massively.
This is the kind of place where the staff are on first-name terms with every customer, and people keep coming back again and again. They have hosted birthday parties, hen parties and anniversaries, and were even named Tameside Takeaway Cafe of the Year in 2022.
A real family affair, Natalie’s oldest daughter Paige bakes the cakes, whilst her other teenage daughters Halle and Laurie also help out where they can. Even eight-year-old son Darby does his bit, collecting the farm’s fresh eggs to be cooked up as part of Bee’s charming fry-ups inside the caravan’s kitchen.
On the menu, you’ll find breakfast staples including a Full English with local butchers’ meat, eggs, tomatoes, black pudding, beans, toast and mushrooms, alongside classic breakfast baps stuffed with egg, bacon and sausage.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty more to get stuck into ranging from loaded fries topped with chicken, cheese and sriracha mayo, to crispy chicken burgers, daily-changing soups, toasties, hot dogs with crispy onions, and halloumi fries served with a sweet chilli mayo.
There is also a selection of mouthwatering cakes and cookies on offer – all baked by the family’s eldest daughter.
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Think cookies stuffed with ice cream and cream, Lotus Biscoff, mini eggs, Kinder Bueno, Maltesers, double chocolate and more, plus extra sweet treats like brookies and triple chocolate brownies, carrot cake and Bavarian slices.
A wonderful way to wile away a Saturday morning, head over on a clear day to enjoy views across Tameside from what feels like the top of the world.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Eats
One of Manchester’s best restaurants is opening a ‘bread kitchen’ in Exhibition food hall
Daisy Jackson
A Michelin guide restaurant in Manchester is branching out with a new project, and this time it’s all about bread.
The team behind Another Hand will be taking over one of the kitchens in food hall Exhibition, launching Jaan, which will specialise in Persian cooking.
The new bread kitchen will focus on Wildfarmed House Flatbreads, which will come with an array of seasonal toppings.
And a lot of the produce heading to the Jaan kitchen at Exhibition will be taken from what’s not used at Another Hand around the corner.
For example, a whole sirloin that’s used for Another Hand’s ex-dairy sirloin dish will provide meat trimmings that will be turned into Jaan’s beef tartare.
The tail and trim from Another Hand’s seared trout will head to Jaan to be used in a fire-roasted sea trout fatoush salad.
And the two restaurants will share other bits of produce too, like a squash that will go into both a Winter Squash small plate at the main restaurant and a scorched summer squash dish at the food hall.
Another Hand’s famous flatbreads will be the staple on the menu at Jaan, which is moving into the beautiful kitchen on Peter Street hot on the heels of the departure of Rigatoni’s.
Since it launched in 2022, the restaurant’s become known as one of Manchester’s best, even earning a place in the Michelin guide.
It’s famed for its sharing plates, as well as the team’s efforts to drive sustainable practices, sourcing produce from across the north west.
Most ingredients used in the restaurant have travelled no more than 40 miles, and the bread comes from Holy Grain while the chocolate comes from Dormouse, both right next door.
Jaan will be moving in to the Exhibition food hall in Manchester
They hope that Jaan will help their sustainable credentials even more, allowing them to use up almost every scrap of produce.
Small plates will all be served with house flatbreads, and toppings will include smoked aubergine, whipper butterbean, black garlic cheese bread, ex-dairy beef tartare, and ras el hanout spiced lamb.
And larger plates will include slow-cooked lamb shank with ancient grains, grilled octopus and nduja, and chermoula chicken rice.
Chef patrons Max Yorke and Julian Pizer said: “We feel extremely privileged to be offered the opportunity to cook alongside Osma and Baratxuri at Exhibition Manchester.
“Over the last few years our small 24 cover restaurant has generated a large waitlist and we are excited to showcase our new concept to a wider audience.
“Most importantly, as we make more steps to improve our environmental standards, our food waste systems showed an obvious area in which we could develop.
“By opening a second kitchen in such a fast paced venue we can take unused produce from Another Hand and even further reduce, and hopefully eradicate, our wastage.”
Jaan Persian Bread Kitchen will open within Exhibition on 8 May, joining Osma and Baratxuri on the venue’s restaurant floor.
Gary Neville lines up Michelin star chef for his Stock Exchange Hotel restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Gary Neville has announced a new restaurant within his five-star Stock Exchange Hotel, which will open almost a year after the previous eatery announced its shock closure.
The magnificent dining room at the heart of the hotel was previously home to Tom Kerridge’s The Bull & Bear, which closed at the end of 2022.
It was then replaced by Stock Market Grill, a restaurant by the award-winning Schofield brothers (who operate officially the best bar in the UK) – but that was open for only a matter of months.
Thankfully, the Manchester United legend and property mogul now has grand plans for the Stock Exchange’s restaurant offering, roping in two-time Michelin star chef Niall Keating.
Niall will be launching Tender this summer, a luxury dining experience ‘named after the tender care put into crafting each dish’.
There’ll be gourmet food for everyday dining within the hotel’s historic dining room, which will undergo a renovation before Tender’s launch.
Its menu will offer weekday brasserie lunches, a la carte dinners, afternoon teas, Sunday roasts, a chef’s table and a special tasting menu.
The Stock Exchange Hotel is home to one of Manchester’s most beautiful restaurant spaces. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Stock Exchange Hotel is home to one of Manchester’s most beautiful restaurant spaces. Credit: The Manc Group
Niall Keating at just 33 years old has already earned two Michelin stars, making him one of the youngest two-time Michelin star chefs in the UK.
His CV has included stints in kitchens at the best restaurants in the world, including Restaurant Sat Bains and Benu in San Francisco (a three Michelin-star spot).
He then headed to The Dining Room at Whatley Manor Hotel, where he earned his first star in 2017 and a second in 2019, as well as a prestigious Green Star in 2021 which recognises sustainability practices.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Gary Neville, owner of Stock Exchange Hotel, said: “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Niall Keating for Tender and bringing his culinary expertise to the hotel.
“His vision to create versatile and accessible dining options is exactly what we’ve been looking for, to allow everyone visiting Tender to find the right experience for them.”
Niall Keating added: “From when I first walked through the doors of the hotel into the dining room, I knew this was the place for me and that we could create something really special.
“I immediately felt connected to both Gary and General Manager, Tracy Harrison, and I knew what I wanted to create at the hotel and restaurant. I want a space that feels vibrant, warm and energetic, that brings to life the history of the stock exchange roots of the hotel, while providing an upscale and comfortable brasserie dining experience.
“In addition to the main dining room, we will also be opening ‘The Bank’, which is a beautiful private space for up to 12 guests, where we will be providing a truly exceptional dining experience.”
Gary added: “We will also shortly be announcing a series of events and live music experiences, including a weekly music plan, within Tender, that will really bring the venue to life, making it the heart of Stock Exchange Hotel.”
Tender restaurant at the Stock Exchange Hotel will officially open on 5 June.
Its opening hours will be Wednesday to Saturday, midday to 10pm, and Sundays midday to 7.30pm.