Fusion Organic Café – A Hidden Gem
Slightly off the beaten track on Arundel Street you will find Fusion Organic Cafe at Butchers Works.
The café was established in 2008 by the Ruskin Mill Education Trust with a focus on producing quality organic food using artisan methods. Due to their educational links they also offer work experience to students at Freeman College, and exhibit the silver and metalwork produced by the Academy of Makers. In the adjoining courtyard you can see these skilled ‘Makers’ in their workshops, and if you go on an open studio day you can have a chat and see their work close up.
The café has an informal and rustic feel inside, with its bare brick interior and minimal decor. There was a definite buzz about the place when we were there – people were eagerly queuing for food and waiting for tables. The crowd included families, groups of friends as well as students and staff from Sheffield Hallam University, which is virtually next door.
You can tell that Fusion café is passionate about food by the eclectic menu choices it offers, and the methods they use in their kitchen. A quote on their menu states “We don’t use a microwave as we believe in creating food that is fresh, healthy and above all tasty….” Produce is sourced locally where possible, including meat from their own farm in Eyam, Derbyshire, fish which is sustainably sourced and coffee which is directly traded from Brazil.
Their daily specials board has seasonal dishes such as – ‘Grilled Yorkshire asparagus and halloumi salad served with a balsamic dressed green leaf and baby beetroot salad and lemon roasted new potatoes’. The normal menu has tempting delights including sandwiches made with their homemade bread, a variety of handmade salads and homemade cakes. If you follow them on Twitter you often get updates of what the kitchen is making that day.
When we popped by at lunchtime we had a well made Americano which had a lovely toasty flavour, a definite step up from what you’d get in a high-street coffee shop. Komal Khan and Oliver Pontefract, who work in the café, recently won the Sheffield Caféology Barista Competition, so they definitely have the flair for coffee making. The excellent coffee was accompanied by a delicious and extremely chocolaty brownie – a must for any chocolate addict.
Fusion café care about the whole journey of food from sourcing to service, the end result is that the food is appealing and tasty. I am not the only person to think so judging by how busy the café was.
Rumour has it that they will be doing themed food evenings later this year, so I am looking forward to trying one of those, and sampling more of their culinary delights.
Thanks to Ros Arksey for that review, if you want to write for What’s On Up North then get in touch!
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit!