Last updated at 10:05, Friday, 09 January 2009

THE Hemmel Cafe at Allenheads is welcoming a new manager and catering company this month.

Christine’s Country Catering will be running the cafe serving cakes and sandwiches as well as home-cooked meals.

The company is run by Christine Hutchinson, who has been running the catering facility at Deneholme in Allendale.

But after the conference centre was put up for rent Christine decided to switch her business to Allenheads.

Although she put in an offer to take on Deneholme, she was unofficially told that she was outbid by quite a margin.

The opportunity at Hemmel became available after current owner Jacquie Robson had to leave due to ill health.

Christine said: “It is sad that Jacquie has had to leave the cafe, but the opening has come up at an ideal time for me when I needed to move premises.”

Christine hopes to develop a small shop next to the cafe, offering essentials to passing tourists and local residents.

She plans to continue the weekly fish and chip night at the cafe, and she added: “I thought about introducing a steak night because I get lovely meat from WMH Farm Fresh Meats in Haydon Bridge.”

Meat is not the only locally sourced product on offer as Christine tries to get most of her ingredients from local suppliers.

As well as running the cafe, Christine will be continuing to provide buffets for corporate events and menus for dinner parties through her catering company.

The cafe is open six days a week, excluding Mondays, and a full menu was on offer from this week. To contact Christine call her on (01434) 345224.

First published at 13:10, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk