HOMEMADE sausage rolls, quiches and freshly made sandwiches followed by fruit scones topped with jam and cream and mini cakes – the number one afternoon tea menu in Mid Cheshire.

Loyal customers at Goostrey Home and Leisure voted for their tasty treats to win our latest award – Mid Cheshire’s Best for Afternoon Tea 2023 – and Rebecca Randles and her hard-working team are quite rightly celebrating their win.

Each week, we will be searching for the best Mid Cheshire has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 18 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Oliver Gibney Hairdressing

Best for Pies – Ka Pie

Best for Nails – Samantha Dean Nails and Makeup

Best for Roast Dinner – The Red Lion in Little Budworth

Best for Cocktails – Grape and Bean

Best for Breakfast – Kanya Bistro and Bar

Best for Fitness – Simon Daniels

Best for Fish and Chips – The Corner Fish and Chip Shop

Best for Tattoos – Ink FX Tattoo

Best for Pizza – Oakwood Smoke and Dough

Best for Pets – Willowsway Cat Rescue

Best Independent Shop or Business – The Style Hut

Best for Desserts – Layers Treats

Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time

Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre

Best Beer Garden – The Carriers Inn

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Burgers is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best Café or Coffee Shop.

Next on the menu was the search for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Afternoon Tea and Goostrey Home and Leisure took the latest Best of 2023 title.

Goostrey Home and Leisure, which opened in 2003

Goostrey Home and Leisure, which opened in 2003

The family-run café and gift shop business opened on Goostrey Lane in Holmes Chapel in 2003 with Rebecca taking over between 12 and 15 years ago.

They sell a wide range of goods from fruit and vegetables to gifts for all occasions.

Goostrey Home and Leisure owner Rebecca Randles

Goostrey Home and Leisure owner Rebecca Randles

Rebecca, who is 38 and lives just ten minutes from work, said: “My parents and family are local farmers so I have grown up with good homemade wholesome food, which I try to provide in our tea room.

“I use as much local produce as I can and we are also licensed to sell alcohol.

“We are dog friendly and have a secure children’s play area joined to our tea room.

“As well as the farm shop, cafe and gift shop we have other businesses from a small animal vets, a pet food and accessory shop, hair and beauty, a gym, and many more.

“I oversee all that happens from the food going out to customers to organising our events.

“I have always wanted to run my own business from a young age - I think it’s just always been in me.

“It gives me great pleasure to see all our regular and new customers each day and make sure they are treated well and given great service.”

Award-winning afternoon tea at Goostrey Home and Leisure

Award-winning afternoon tea at Goostrey Home and Leisure

The popular afternoon tea is a real treat – it’s all homemade and changes with the seasons.

The freshly made selection of sandwiches start the experience accompanied by homemade mini quiches, tarts and sausage rolls served with chutney.

The fruit and cherry scones are topped with Clotton Hall Dairy clotted cream and Tiptree jam and the top tier features mini homemade cakes.

The seasonal children’s Halloween afternoon tea is hugely popular and the little ones love having breakfast with Santa.

Other bestsellers on the menu include the hot beef roll, brie, bacon and cranberry paninis, and chicken and bacon salad.

A delicious selection of mini cakes

A delicious selection of mini cakes

Rebecca said: “When we found out we were shortlisted for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Afternoon Tea everyone was so excited.

“We were so happy to be shortlisted and thought it would be amazing to win.

“Hearing the news that we won was just amazing and it means all our hard work has paid off.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of our customers for taking the time to vote for us and for their continued support in keeping our family-run business going.

“A big thank you to my fantastic team – your hard work is very much appreciated.”

Northwich Guardian: The hard-working team at Goostrey Home and LeisureThe hard-working team at Goostrey Home and Leisure (Image: supplied)

Rebecca added: “The best thing about my job is always having something different to do – no two days are the same.

“I love looking back to where my family started with the business when we had just one table of four in the cafe area.

“Now we have seating inside and out a total of around 150 covers.

“We have grown each year and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

For more details go to facebook.com/goostreyhl

Fruit scones with jam and clotted cream

Fruit scones with jam and clotted cream