Our Cafe of the Year - Mowbrays of Haxey

It was miles of smiles for an Isle cafe/restaurant as congratulations were given to this year’s winner of Epworth Bells Cafe of the Year.
(r-l) Catherine Simpson, Kathryn Holmes, Karen Law, and Gail Hughes, of Mowbrays, Haxey, with their award for cafe of the year. Picture: Andrew Roe(r-l) Catherine Simpson, Kathryn Holmes, Karen Law, and Gail Hughes, of Mowbrays, Haxey, with their award for cafe of the year. Picture: Andrew Roe
(r-l) Catherine Simpson, Kathryn Holmes, Karen Law, and Gail Hughes, of Mowbrays, Haxey, with their award for cafe of the year. Picture: Andrew Roe

Ever since the shortlist of the coolest cafes was revealed in our August 7 edition people have been frantically voting for their favourite following weeks of nominations from across the area.

Over the past few weeks the Epworth Bells has asked residents to vote for their top Isle eatery from a shortlist of three and first prize winner for 2014 is Mowbrays of Haxey.

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The top spot in High Street was only taken over by Catherine Simpson in February, but she and her staff have set about transforming the popular spot’s fortunes. The 59-year-old said she was “stunned” when she heard her loyal customers had voted her as number one and gave a big thanks for their confidence in her. The former accountant, who has worked from home for the past 14 years, added: “To be honest I was quite shocked. It is a pleasant surprise that we have come out top, as there are quite a few great cafes all across the Isle. This is the first time I’ve run anything like this so I suppose you could say it’s first time lucky.

“I only took over here in early February and it was quite a change for me as before I had worked from home. I set about transforming the menu with many of my homemade recipes for sausage rolls, pasties, cakes, biscuits, steak slice, meat and potato pies and much more. Since I started this venture the menu has been customer-driven and they make suggestions as to what I should sell.

“This is a real achievement for me and for the others who work here including Kathryn Holmes, Karen Law and Gail Hughes. Everyone is so proud and we have had many messages of congratulations.”

She said Facebook site mowbraysofhaxey had been inundated with messages and customers had also thanked the cafe in person.

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The winning plaque is now proudly displayed on the counter of Mowbrays and the specials board has been taken over by a staff message thanking customers for their support.

Catherine, who started the eatery at a time when many people are looking towards retirement, further added: “I have no regrets about starting this and winning this competition is justification of my belief in the business. I have no plans to expand the business at the moment but I’ll continue to give customers exactly what they want and perhaps even extend the menu choice.”

Big congratulations to Mowbrays for its achievement. Commiserations to those who did not win and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition The cafe in High Street, Haxey, is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm.

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