Woo Hoo! We’re award winning! Yes, that’s AWARD WINNING. Oh I do like the sound of that.

Our amazing customers recently voted The Milk Shed the Best Cafe in Oxfordshire in the Muddy Stiletto’s Urban Guide, rubbing shoulders with the likes of fellow winners The Hand and Flowers, and Le Manoir!

So this morning I snuck off with my chef, Daryl, to attend the winners drinks party and although there was no sign of Raymond or Tom we spent a fab hour chatting to lots of winners of various other categories, swapping stories, good and ugly, of running our own businesses, all of us pretty pleased to have our hard work and commitment recognised. It’s a lovely feeling and one I could get used to!

However, the bubble burst 40 minutes before the end of the ceremony when we had to make a mad dash in the pouring rain to be back at the Milk Shed in time for lunch service, as these days, even on a wet Wednesday the week after half term, we’re fortunate enough to have a full house.

And for another first, last Friday we closed to the public in order to hold a private event, and not just any private event but the wedding reception of some regular customers. The first time I met Nat and Chris, the happy couple, was nearly a year ago when they approached me to ask whether I’d consider hosting their big day at my cafe, and back then I thought what the hell, with my background in event catering 60 guests will be a doddle, and anyway it’s ages away!

But as the day fast approached, the reality of being responsible for not messing up on the most important day of their lives loomed large and I spent a week of sleepless nights worrying about the details, not least of all how I was going to fend off my regulars and people just turning up on spec on the day, so I bought the biggest blackboard I could move without a crane, to stick on the roadside, advising the fact that we were closed, and talked one of my weekend staff, Jack, into spending the afternoon playing bouncer.

Despite the fact that he’s not exactly built to work in security, Jack can charm the birds from the trees and couldn’t have been more suited to the role!

In the end, what with the giant signs and the fact that a wedding car was parked in front of the cafe people got the hint, and the day went wonderfully well with loads of gorgeous food, music and entertainment and a very happy bride and groom at the end of it, I’m pleased to say. So congratulations Mr and Mrs Alexander, it was an honour to look after you.

Meanwhile it’s back to the kitchen and to what’s promising to be a very busy summer ahead!

TRY IT
The Milk Shed is in Northampton Road, Weston-on-the-Green.
Call 01869 351387 or see themilkshedstore.co.uk