Alison hopes her Fascinating Food venture will attract foodies to Wisbech

Well-known local chef Alison Sloan is set to open a new cafe and deli with a cookery school attached.

Based in the former Octavia View cafe on South Brink opposite Somers Road car park in Wisbech, the new business, called Fascinating Food, is set to open later this month. It will be housed in the Lawrence Room and Glass Cube and also making use of the terrace during the warmer months.

Alison who has held pop-up dining nights in the past said Fascinating Food will also celebrate the social pleasure of eating as well as offering a range of cookery courses, supper clubs, wine tasting and other food related demonstrations.

Any profits generated will go towards the Ferry Project to help fund services for the homeless in Wisbech.

Alison has over 30 years of experience running restaurants, cookery courses and workign for the National Trust. She has also worked alongside the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Aldo Zilli, Brian Turner and Cyrus Todiwala.

Other experience includes writing recipes for supermarkets and magazines.

Alison said: “I see the éool as a food hub. It should be a busy place where people come to immerse themselves in the one thing in the world which we all have in common - eating.

"Food is fascinating; it should be a social experience and there is so much to explore and to celebrate with good quality local ingredients and delicious meals from around the world”

A weekend of food is planned this weekend (September 4, 5 and 6) with a French Bistro Night, a breadmaking talk and tasting and Sunday Lunch Tapas and Wine, whilst safely complying with Covid guidelines. For further details or to book email or telephone 07778 324250.

Many more events are planned, with the café and deli officially opening on September 17.

With a Food Club and a Proof is in the Pudding Club to be launched too Alison is hoping to draw foodies from Wisbech but also from further afield and put Wisbech on the map as a go to place to eat, learn, taste and enjoy food with others. Groups are also welcome (with social distancing in place).

Any profit from Fascinating Food will go to the Ferry Project to help fund the services for the homeless in Wisbech.