This week’s Londoner is Chloe Callow AKA Faerietale Foodie. Chloe works by day in the coffee industry and by night in the cocktail industry – tasting lots of both kinds and blogging as she goes. We caught some caffeine and words below…
Tell us how long you lived in london? Where and why?
After a brief hiatus down in Kent, I moved back to london with the folks when I was at junior school and have been back here ever since. I’m South East in Beckenham, but technically in Kent – but no-one needs to know that right ;-)
But you spend most of your time in London so we’ll call you a Londoner! Tell us more about what you do…
My day job is selling reverse osmosis filtration systems to the coffee industry, it’s geeky and people always expect a guy to show up at meetings but I quite like that! I’ve also just started a new role as communications coordinator on the UK board of the UK Speciality Coffee Association of Europe, helping to organise the UK Barista Championships. In addition, I write reviews for London’s Best Coffee App and articles for Caffeine Magazine. You could say I’m rather fully immersed in the world of coffee….
And that’s not a bad world to be fully immersed in. What made you set up a blog on the side?
I started my blog 3 years ago and at the time, if I’m really honest, I was trying to manage an eating disorder. I’d pick a coffee shop I wanted to try and then walk the 8 or so miles each way to get there after a couple of hours in the gym. In the process I developed a passion for really good coffee (I wasn’t going to walk that far for a bad one – let’s be honest) and eventually eased off on the exercise and learnt to really love food again.
So you obviously know your coffee where’s your fav place in London to drink it?
Oh dude, that’s a tough one – I like different cafes for different things. For a banging Workshop espresso and great banter I would always head to Daily Goods in Kinoko Cycles on Golden Square. If I’m in the West end shopping (god forbid) I’d head to Kaffeine, Mothers Milk or Dunnefrankowski at Sharps, who incidentally host ace food pop ups too. If I’m East I’d hit up Embassy East for more great coffee and excellent food, Macintyres to drool over his pair of Speedster machines, Craft for their selection of filter options. If I’m in the mood for a spot of blogging, Tuckshop off Shoreditch High Street is a fab space, there’s always a buzzy atmosphere and great music, or Prufrock on Leather Lane for more serious work and great Square Mile coffee
If I’m in a whimsical mood, which is fairly often, I’ll go all the way to Chatsworth Road to 46b Espresso Hut, it’s the tiniest cafe but a sheer delight in every way. Association in the city is not open weekends but remains one of my favourites, there always superb coffee and chats to be had and exquisite pastries from the little bread pedlar. Oh, and passing through Kings Cross? DO NOT pass through, the Noble Espresso cart is one of the best spots for an espresso or flat white in town!
WOW. You have covered all bases. We best get coffee sipping now…Finally what would be your perfect day in London?
I’d have to start with an espresso at my local cafe Fee & Brown before catching a train to London Bridge. A mooch around Maltby Street Market is always a good idea at the weekend and a coffee from the Craft coffee cart along with a St John custard doughnut will ease me into the day nicely. I’d pick up some fresh meat and produce up towards Spa Terminus then head back to the arches for a spot of lunch at 40 Maltby Street and a cheeky glass of wine, if that’s too busy I might move on to Bar Tozino a few doors along for some ham and sherry – hell, I might just do that anyway. If there’s time I’d take a walk to one of the galleries, I love gazing at the paintings in the National Portrait Gallery or I might check out a new coffee shop to review. I’d meet a friend in Soho for some delicious French nibbles and wine in one of my favourite spots Blanchette, popping into Paul a Young’s shop on Wardour Street first to pick up one of their indulgent brownies for dessert. I’d finally make my way to Dalston for cocktails at Ruby’s beautiful little basement bar.
We love Ruby’s too but you all know that! If you want to see even more of Chloe’s top tips hit up her blog now…