Winner: The Market Cafe

THE Market Café in Knutsford has been crowned winner of our readers’ favourite café.

Located in Knutsford’s Market Hall in Silk Mill Street, there has been a café at the market since it opened in 1964, but new owners Ollie Chadwick and Steph Trafford took charge of the café in 2017 after craving a place of their own.

Since then, the café has been going from strength to strength, especially thanks to Ollie’s appearance in the Great Sausage Roll Off 2018.

The competition saw Ollie go up against the best in the country as each chef baked a dozen sausage rolls to be judged by experts, raising money for Shooting Star Chase charity along the way.

Steph said: “Sausage rolls are probably our most popular product, especially after being in the Great Sausage Roll Off! Our sausage rolls are definitely what we are known for mainly.”

However, Ollie’s rolls aren’t the only thing that keeps the customers returning, as their full English breakfast and range of toasted wraps keep the hungry customers happy.

Customers can also go a little off-piste if they wish.

Steph said: “We do take requests, as long as we have the ingredients in. Our most unusual so far is probably our tuna melt with black pudding on… it looked surprisingly tasty though!”

As to the secret of their success, especially in such a short time, Steph added: “We just love what we do, so the passion to work hard is naturally there. Plus, of course, our amazing customers are why we here today.

“We use local ingredients from the market hall itself. We also offer free delivery within Knutsford town centre and to Parkgate Industrial Park.”

With eyes on the future, Ollie and Steph may have a few surprises up their sleeves as well.

Steph said: “The market hall is having a renovation in the near future, which is exciting for all of the traders and Knutsford itself. In terms of our business – watch this space.”

YOUR FAVOURITE FIVE

  • The Market Café, Knutsford
  • Drinks and Bites at 35, Middlewich
  • Charlie’s Café, Northwich
  • Whitegate Station Café, Whitegate
  • Poppy Rose Tea Room, Northwich

Highly commended: Drinks and Bites at 35

Drinks and Bites at 35 in Middlewich only just missed out on first spot.

The café owned by wife and wife team Gemma and Holly Crocker, is very popular in the community and the owners believe that a big part of it comes from their enthusiasm.

Holly said: “We believe we offer a very personal touch, given that we are the owners and we are here working five out of the six days a week that we are open.

“We know so many people’s names and orders by memory, and provide a warm, happy environment with great coffee every time. Basically, we care about our café and our customers lots.”

The café has been going for five years now and to celebrate they recently underwent a £15,000 refurbishment in the new year.

Holly believes there are a few reasons for the success of the café.

She said: “Good, honest food, reasonable prices, great service with a smile and a clean, pleasant atmosphere.

“Another element though I believe is the consistency that we have provided by owning the place but also working here every day.

“It has enabled us to nurture a strong bond with our customers and build a community feel.”

Our Food and Drink Awards ran across our Cheshire sister titles in the spring with readers voting for their favourites. 

Watch this space as we reveal more of the winners online over the next two weeks.