Is this the hub of Winchester's food and drink revolution?

 

Locals and visitors alike now flock to Winchester because of its wealth of fine dining options and world-class produce. Yet the community responsible for this thriving revolution is not always credited.  Kelly West meets one of the people directly responsible for helping build Winchester's food and drink community. 

Gary Whiter is co-owner of the the Cabinet Rooms. He says that one of the founder principles of the Cabinet Rooms is bringing together the Winchester food and drink community.   

"For many years, Marcus and I have shared a passion for quality food and drink and started our blog in early 2015 to share our foodie adventures in Hampshire and further afield. Since that time we've watched the foodie scene grow and develop and are thrilled to now have our own café-bar where like-minded people can meet and relax over a speciality coffee, bite to eat... or a craft cocktail! Our ethos is one of discovery and learning and we are looking forward to continuing our work bringing new things to the people of Winchester in our small corner of Jewry Street."

As with any emerging culture, Winchester's food and drink community has grown in pockets, and the Cabinet Rooms has become a hub pulling these elements into a cohesive whole. 

"We work with some incredible food and drink producers and really do feel that working together produces a stronger community that benefits all of us."

Cabinet Rooms also work with Visit Winchester to promote the city's food and drink scene as part of their #CreativeWinch campaign. More information about this can be found via Visit Winchester.

Gary and Marcus are as prolific in their output as they are passionate about food and drink. As well as the Cabinet Rooms, they have already created Winchester Cocktail Week and the Ginchester Fête. Continuing their dedication as Winchester cultural ambassadors, Cabinet Rooms is working in conjunction with the Guildhall to create Winchester’s Biggest Coffee Morning. 

Applying their ethos of ‘working with the community’ they are teaming up with other Winchester independent businesses such as Caracoli, Chococo and Flat Whites and many others to create an event that will certainly bring together the wider community. Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support along the way, this is an event not to be missed.

Winchesters Biggest Coffee Morning, which takes place on Friday 29th September in the Guildhall, finishes in the Cabinet Rooms, with an evening bash featuring DJ Kat, and The Spitfire Sisters.

"Why do we put so much energy into these events? Because we love seeing the community come together to enjoy the finest things this city has to offer," says Gary.

If you can’t wait until September to experience the delights that the Cabinet Rooms has to offer then pay them a visit.  Not only have Gary and Marcus created a unique café bar in serving speciality coffee roasted by their friends at Extract Coffee, they have also created a venue that serves exquisite cocktails and light meals. Where else can you go to get that all under one roof?

Visit Winchester Guildhall for more information about Winchester's Biggest Coffee morning and to book tickets.