A NEW café has opened its doors in Ayrshire – boasting some special produce from Sorn, Ochiltree and Mauchline.

Ayrshire Food Hub has opened the doors to its café in the same location as its community-run farm shop at Crossroads roundabout, outside Hurlford and following the massive success of the farm shop, the café will share the same ethos – celebrating Ayrshire’s food heritage and supporting local producers.

The menu has been designed around seasonality and Ayrshire’s food heritage. Nisbet Family Butchers in Sorn will be providing the meat for breakfast rolls and full breakfasts, fresh milk is provided by Morton’s in Ochiltree, Corrie Mains in Mauchline will supply free-range eggs and local grocers will supply fruit and veg.

Cumnock Chronicle:

As well as traditional family favourites, there will also be some twists put on classic dishes on the menu such as porridge brûlée and a special chef’s-cut cheeseburger.

Since the opening of the farm shop, the Ayrshire Food Hub team has grown significantly. As well as backroom staff and Hub assistants, the team now includes a dedicated baker – who produces fresh bakery on-site every morning.

Hub Manager, Morag Cunningham-Blackley, said: “As well as our continuing charity work throughout the local community, and our showcasing of local producers, we also want to increase the number of opportunities for employment.

Cumnock Chronicle:

“With the café opening up, we have a space where friends can meet safely – and that inclusive and social aspect is vital after the past year that we’ve had. It’s also important for our staff to benefit from that same level of sociability.”

The café has a reservation system in place – just phone the Hub on 01560 324 335. Social distancing, sanitising stations and a track and trace system are all in place to ensure a worry-free visit.