Where in Windsor meets Test Kitchen

You may have noticed recently that the Test Kitchen is picking up momentum and is suddenly taking Windsor by storm...!? 
From a pipe dream inside the heads of owners Milly and John, to a takeaway business with a huge difference - fresh, tasty food from a van!
I chatted with Milly to find out how it all started and where they want to drive the business in the future.

So, what led you to set up the test kitchen?

Definitely a combination of a love for food and some serious skill on John's part!
I managed nightclubs for a long time and most recently, a restaurant/cocktail bar so I got a bit of a taste for it.
I saw how it worked and just scaled it to what we could do, given that I was 10 months pregnant when we bought the truck!

Ah ok, so John's the cheffy one and you're the boss!? 

Haha, you said it! 
John's been a professional chef for a long time. I'm merely a home cook with a huge love for street food.

Super Bon Bom

But that's what people love, home cooked food with a bit of a difference!

I think people like the thought of having their food literally cooked right in front of them. No hiding away in basement kitchens, and also the interaction makes it all the more personal.

Chicken Mole Tostada

Who, or what, inspired you to run the business from a van?

To us, it was an obvious choice. We knew we wanted to work for ourselves, we knew we were more than capable of creating great dishes and with the move back home to Windsor imminent, we also knew we'd be surrounded by amazing produce and great suppliers!

Where did you move from?

I was raised in Windsor, and John in Portugal and Kensington. I moved to London for work 10 years ago, had baby Salvador last June and came running home to Mummy!
She's been an absolute godsend, looking after him so we can do this. We literally wouldn't be able to do this without her!

When you've had a really long, tough day, what's your comfort food, guaranteed to make things better?

For me, anything Malaysian. Nothing fancy, just good, hawker style food.
My mum is Chinese and born in Malaysia so I spent a lot of my childhood there.

Crispy Bacon Eggs Royale

If you could have anyone over to yours for dinner, who would you choose?

John says Paul Newman. He says he was one of the few classy guys in the world.

I get the feeling if I asked who you'd choose, you'd cook for the whole street and anyone else who turned up!?

Funny you should say that, I ran a Supper Club for a while so basically did exactly that!

Vegan Junk Tostada

What do you love the most about being a small business owner?

I enjoy the accountability. Knowing that you have a good product and having fun with marketing is really rewarding. It's hard sometimes to self motivate, but when you really understand that the buck stops with you and you alone, you really have to give it a good go or you might as well just stop!

The success you've had with No Washing Up Wednesday and Curry Friday is amazing, did you think people would be so engaged with your vision of The Test Kitchen?

I had no idea how it would pan out initially, and we're definitely still growing it. 
It's a totally residential area with zero passing trade, so engaging our customers through social media is crucial.

TK Umami Burger

What does the future hold for The Test Kitchen? Any exciting plans?

We have had a really long slog trying to find a permanent spot to trade, but I feel like we've built a great community of hungry bellies now.
We will be pitching up in different locations in Windsor soon on an even more regular basis!
Aside from feeding at private parties, which we love, we think it's really important to carry the momentum we've gained and continue to feed our fellow Windsorians as much as possible!
Everyone's been so supportive of us and we couldn't be happier.

I love that you've had so much support, although, it doesn't surprise me. The Windsor community is the best! I've never known anywhere like it!

It's amazing! Such loyal people, but also a bunch who definitely know what they like. I think also there's a lot of support for independent businesses. Everyone has realised that actually, Costa doesn't do the best coffee, and they'd rather get to know the owners than see a new face each time they eat or drink somewhere.
It's incredibly tough seeing a small business go down, especially when they're up against giants. You can see the heart beating in businesses of that size so it's really a killer to watch.
Everyone pitching in and buying local can absolutely save someone's bacon!

John and Milly

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about and try fresh, great food from a small , local business, find The Test Kitchen at Perrycroft on Wednesday and Friday evenings. 
If you'd like to have them come along to a private event and serve your guests, contact Milly or John by email or at their Facebook page.  

Where In Windsor meets Baby Bank Windsor

On Thursday last week Baby Bank Windsor released a post on Facebook announcing the serious situation they are in, 'Baby Bank Windsor facing closure'. 
I read it and felt sadness. 
For the last two and a half years Amy Tisi and Rebecca Mistry have provided help to so many families in need with their newborn starter packages and other items for pregnant women, older babies and children.
The newborn packages were inspired by Finland's baby boxes and are given to expectant mothers in beautifully presented bundles, offered as a gift, rather than a handout. 
The list of people who qualify for help from Baby Bank is long, people in so many different situations, but the list is by no means exhaustive. The basic premise is 'families in need', whatever that need may be.
I chatted with Rebecca recently to find out more about the situation they're in and where they plan to go from here...

Photography by Abi Moore

What was the driving factor behind setting up Baby Bank Windsor?

When Amy and I had our children our friends often gave us items that they no longer needed and we had done the same with clothes and toys.
It led us to think about how many people don't have this kind of support and how many people struggle with the huge cost of having children.
There's the large, high cost items, like pushchairs and cots, on top of the every day items like nappies, wipes and clothing. It soon adds up and if you're in a situation where money is an issue, this can lead to worry and stress that can overtake the joy of pregnancy and starting a family.

Between the two of you, how many hours do you need to dedicate each week to keep things going an how do you fit it around being working mums?

8-10 hours sorting out bundles, checking clothes, equipment, filling in grant applications, liaising with referral partners and messages via social media.
We do it when our children are in bed, at preschool and school, lunch breaks, out having coffee... The Treehouse Cafe was a great place for meetings!

Photography by Abi Moore

Did you imagine when you started out that Baby Bank would become such a vital support for so many families?

We recognised the need but didn't anticipate the scale!

What are the running costs each month and how are you currently funding it?

£200 rent a month, then any extra goes towards the cost of new mattresses for cots/moses baskets.
We did a crowd fundraiser last year, we also received a grant but this has run out so we're in dire need of bigger funds/free storage.

Photography by Abi Moore

Sometimes people put off volunteering as they worry they can't commit enough hours, what would you expect from volunteers if they came forward to help out?

We wouldn't expect people to commit to set hours, we know how challenging it is to fit it in around family life and work commitments. 
We have had a business come in and do a days sorting which has been tremendous help but equally, someone spending 20 minutes replying to emails has been just as helpful.

If you could see a year into the future, where would you like to see Baby Bank Windsor?

In an ideal world we would like there to be no need for baby banks.
In reality, we are hoping we have long term funding and a team of volunteers so we can carry on helping families in need.

Photography by Abi Moore

Lastly, when things are tough, what keeps you going?

However tough things are for us, the families that we help are going through a much harder time.
Getting messages back via our referral partners is always motivating.

If you are able to help Baby Bank Windsor in any way, no matter how small, please contact Rebecca or Amy through their website or via Facebook.
If you'd like to donate you can do so here.
If you know a business that might be able to help with funding or offer free storage then get in touch.
The Windsor community is pretty special and I know there is a way to help Baby Bank Windsor carry on the hard work and dedication they show to the families in need!

Where in Windsor meets Cinnamon Cafe

This week I caught up with Nick from Cinnamon to talk about all all things coffee, cool plans and community.



Cinnamon has been a big part of Windsor for such a long time now, what's been the highlight of that time for you?

The highlight has to be the massive support we received when we were potentially going to be shut down. 
Also, being nominated for the Berkshire Life Awards.

That was awesome. Although it's obvious how much everyone loves Cinnamon, it was lovely to see everyone being so vocal about it!
If you has a magic wand, is there anything you would change about the cafe?

I would have a refub done as it's long overdue. Also, we're exposed to the elements, too hot in summer, too cold in winter!




Is there a chance of a refurbishment any time soon then?

Yes, we're looking into it for either November or February.

If the Queen popped in and asked what you would recommend from the menu for her afternoon tea, what would you suggest?

Cream tea of course! I'm not sure an enormous cinnamon bun would be appropriate!

Maybe just a half bun, on the side...? 
What is the most popular item on the menu? Is it different for locals and tourists?

The cinnamon bun is up there, always popular.
We have lots of South Americans who love the jacket potatoes but the locals come for the coffee.

Is the coffee a local brand?

No, it's our own blend but it's not that local.



Just how many loaves of bread do you go through in a day!?

About 10 loaves a day on a week day and 24 on a weekend!

Aside from the refurbishment, what's in the pipeline for the next year? Any exciting news that you can share with us?

We're hoping to plan a local charity event involving Cinnamon, maybe with Alexander Devine. Also, there's a second Cinnamon baby!

Another Cinnamon baby!? Ah congratulations to Ian and Katie!




Cinnamon Cafe is open 7 days a week and they're located in The Old Booking Hall, Windsor Royal Station.
If you haven't visited them yet, pop in and give their famous Cinnamon Bun a try!

Where In Windsor meets Photography by Abi Moore

Between running her own successful photography business and being a mum of two boys, Abi has a busy daily life these days. I caught up with her somewhere between a training course and bath time to see how she copes with her work/life balance and making #workthatworks

So, how long have you had a love for photography?


My Nana and Grandpa gave me a camera at Christmas when I was 8 and it started there. That was thirty years ago now.
I studied it at college and then as part of my degree, then I started my business seven years ago.

What inspired you to make a career from it?

When I was expecting my first son, nearly nine years ago, I took voluntary severence from a very demanding PR job for a major airline. When my son was born I found myself taking more and more photos and decided it was something I wanted to turn into a career. I went back to college as everything I'd learned was on film and in the dark room, so I had to learn to photograph professionally in the digital age.

How do you find running your own business fits in with family life?

It's been fantastic for me; as my own boss I have the freedom to work the hours that suit me, so I can work school hours and can easily take time off for assemblies, etc.
I also find summer is naturally a quieter time for me so I can work part time during the holidays.
It occasionally has its challenges, if I have a lot of work on I can have less time for family; I also tend to work weekends, but overall it gives me the flexibility to enjoy a career I love and spend time with my family.

What's been your most memorable photoshoot?

It's really hard to pick a specific photoshoot. I get to meet lots of different people in this career and I love that everyone has different experiences and ideas to share. 
I've photographed 5-day-old babies, weddings and 95th birthday celebrations so I get to see the span of life.
Specific memorable moments include a fancy dress wedding, a wedding with an ice theme and an owl, baby twins who'd been wished and hoped for for more than five years, and the entire clothing catalogue for a company from baby to 7 years across autumn and winter ranges.
I can't say this job doesn't keep me busy!

It all sounds amazing! Being a part of people's lives for just that short time, yet it'll be a lasting memory for them for years to come. 

It's very rewarding - I love that my work is still on people's walls seven years later and something they will always treasure.

Do you have any exciting plans in the pipeline that you can share with us?

My business has been full-time for the last year or so, and I'm aiming to continue and grow on that success. I've recently completed training in more advanced skills for photographing newborns so I'm looking forward to photographing more babies. I'm also aiming to complete the next level of my qualification with my professional body, The Guild of Photographers, in the next year. I see photography as a continuous process of learning and improving my skills and my customers benefit from that.


Have you got a top camera phone tip that we can all use?

Think about changing the angle you're photographing from to give your photos more interest.
Particularly when photographing children, get down to their level rather than photographing from adult height.

Lastly, if there is a mum out there reading this who would love to start her own business, what advice would you give her?

Do it! It's great to have the flexibility of managing a business around a family.
But think carefully and do something you have a passion for, as it can be a juggle and can sometimes take your time away from family, so you need to love it!

You can find out more about Abi and contact her through her website or her facebook page.

(Also, if you're interested in learning more about flexible hours and finding work that works for family life search #workthatworks or #flexappeal on Instagram and Twitter!)