A new manager has been appointed to lead Rheged’s cafe.
Becky Ferguson, the owner of award-winning Penrith cafe The Yard Kitchen, will lead the front-of-house team at Rheged’s new 100-seat cafe, a relaxed all-day dining space at the heart of the meeting place, arts and shopping venue near Penrith.
The remodelled cafe reopened last December, three weeks before UK went into a third lockdown.
Now Becky and her team are excited to share their new menu with the visitors coming back to enjoy Rheged’s locally sourced food, giant-screen cinema, art gallery, children’s play area and design-led clothing and lifestyle shops.
“The new cafe is a beautiful place to be,” Becky said.
“The food is fabulous, and I’m looking forward to feeling the buzz of people enjoying the vibrant design and warm welcome.
“After a difficult year, it will be a pleasure to greet customers as they come back through Rheged’s doors.”
Rheged Cafe has a juice bar and pizza oven, where fresh pizzas made with slow-fermented dough are fired to order and topped with locally sourced and artisan ingredients, including slow-cooked Cumbrian lamb and English chorizo.
Menus feature handmade food and drink from Cumbrian producers, such as Wild & Fruitful Preserves, Queen Fryer’s drinks, More? The Artisan Bakery, Thornby Moor Dairy, Claire’s Handmade and Piper Hole Goat Farm in Ravenstonedale.
Coffee is provided by Carvetii Coffee Roasters of Threlkeld.
The wine list features organic and English wines, which are also for sale in Rheged’s new deli, a food shop selling handmade produce and eco-conscious cookware.
Becky added: “Rheged Cafe is built on great ethics: strong sourcing policies, local produce and employment and a drive to bring the best of the area to our customers.”
Becky is a familiar face among Penrith food lovers: her quirky cafe at Brunswick Yard is a favourite for its friendly service, creative cooking and showstopping cakes.
Now, having handed over management of The Yard Kitchen to a trusted team, Becky said she was looking forward to greeting old friends and welcoming new ones as the new face of Rheged’s new cafe.
“Being a part of something new is always exciting,” Becky said. “I love a challenge and I’m passionate about good food and great service.
“I’m really looking forward to taking on a wonderful team to serve fresh delicious food and make our customers feel relaxed and well cared for.”
