Friday 22 November 2013

Edition 1



Creating Opportunities

The Fly Cup Catering-  “Natter”

Why “Natter”, because it’s what I do well!! and it is one of the lovely things about Fly Cup Catering, you can come and have a cuppa and a natter in comfortable surroundings and there is always someone willing to chat.  This Newsletter is the first of what I hope will become quarterly reports to inform on the news and updates about the team and business at Fly Cup.  The “Natter” is intended to be read by anyone who is interested in Fly Cup Catering so feel free to pass it around.  Your comments, feedback and input will be gratefully received.  Welcome to edition 1. 
Just me so you can see
what I look like on a good day
Many of you will know that I have now been Business Manager at Fly Cup Catering for four months, how quickly the time has passed.  I do feel that I am now settled into the office vacated by Louise earlier this year, but I still have a lot to do and learn about the business, the staff members, the trainees and those who live with and care for them.  The team at Fly Cup Catering and the customers have made me welcome, thank you.   Louise is now settled and working for Children 1st but she visits the coffee shop regularly, and is often surrounded by members of our team who manage to spy her from the kitchen. 

Change and Development




During the past year or so, there have been a lot of changes, including the move to this lovely new building, thanks to Louise who worked hard to get everything in place for the opening in February by Alex Salmond. 

Alex Salmond with Kirsty and Rachel
 at the opening in February
Despite, the changes the team has continued to work hard to keep our regular customers supplied with their products on time, as well as keeping the coffee shop open and stocked with scones and home bakes.  

Past customers are finding their way to the new coffee shop and with the help of some promotions in the New Year we hope that Fly Cup Coffee Shop will be the "place to come" in Inverurie for a (what else?) FlyCuppa!

The place to meet for a "Fly Cuppa!"

The outside bakery aspect of Fly Cup Catering is also on the increase.  In addition to our longer term customers who purchase our tray bakes for retail, we are delighted to now be preparing and delivering sandwiches to a retailer in Tarves three times per week, soup to Strachan's in Inverurie who retail it in their coffee shop and French's in Methlick have become a regular customer for tray bakes.  With the Inverurie Sweet Boutique being our most recent customer.  We thank all for your custom. 

The kitchen and outside catering service has a reputation for excellence which has seen the staff and trainees prepare a buffet for a wedding, a Stovie evening for 55 people, hot lunches for the Tuesday club in Kemnay, and a pilot lunch at the town hall in Old Meldrum, where two trainees and two team member served chicken casserole, mash and peas, followed by hot fudge cake and cream to over 20 members of the community.  The feedback from the customer as follows:-

"Hi Denise, Just a wee note to let you know how marvelous the Fly Cup crew were today.  A pleasure to work with.  The food was wonderful, and piping hot and as a result most plates were cleared !.  Thank you for your support and co-operation..."

A huge well done to everyone involved in that event and all the numerous others that we prepare and deliver on a daily basis, too numerous to mention. 

Coming Up
We are getting busy with bookings for Christmas lunches, with turkey on order, potato peelers at the ready, sprouts on the boil and the stuffing in the capable hands of Nicola, the menu includes pate, soup and a desert of Mincemeat pies or winterberry cheesecake.  We are looking forward to welcoming community organisations to our premises including Grampian Opportunties and The Volunteer Centre.  There are still a few vacant seats but booking is essential so don't delay, call today!
Kirsty and Yvonne wait for the cheque

Funding and Grants.
In addition to the growing catering and coffee shop customers we continue to look for grant funding to support our charity and the work we do here with the trainees at Fly Cup Catering.  During September I was delighted to go along with Kirsty and Yvonne to a cheque award ceremony from Garioch Charity Shop.  The award of £1000 was made to Fly Cup to enable us to install baby changing facilities and provide additional highchairs and some toys, the remaining money will be used to purchase equipment that will aid the trainees in their learning activities here at Fly Cup.

I am also please to report that during the past month Santander announced Fly Cup Catering as winners of a prize worth £20,000.00.  The award was made for the work that we do and the difference we make to the lives of everyone who is associated with Fly Cup.  Each of us contributed to this prize, which has been given to fund additional staff, and allow us to increase the number of trainee places we offer, and to support us in our endeavour to increase our product ranges and customer base. 

As an additional fundraising initiative we have been raising funds in-house and anyone visiting the coffee shop is able to purchase raffle tickets for a prize draw.  The current draw is for a huge hamper of Christmas Cheer!  Tickets are only available on-site at £2.00.  Money raised from in-house fundraising is used to enhance the work environment of all our trainees.  For example, it came to my attention that one of the things the trainees would like is music in the kitchen, to quote "It makes us work harder"!.  The in-house fundraising has allowed us to purchase a music licence, we have an old CD player in the kitchen, but will continue to fundraise for a nice modern unit in the near future. 

Marks and Spencers announced Fly Cup as their chosen local charity this year, and their staff have been organising fundraising events on our behalf, more of that in my next "Natter" but in the meantime look out for us bag packing in store on 23rd December.  If you want to volunteer let me know soon, your help would be gratefully received.

The staff and volunteer team.
The first member of our team to join us as a result of the Santander prize will be known to many of you already, June Falkiner joined us this week and will work fours hours each weekday.  June has become an immediate hit, having joined at a busy time of year,
June and Rachel having fun !
she was immediately introduced to the famous Fly Cup Catering Shortcake Mince Meat Pie, and is now queen of pies assisting the trainees making the products which are for sale on-site and for Christmas orders only.  Let us know as soon as you can your requirements, for collection no later than 20th December.
Festive Mince Meat Pies

In addition to June, we have this year welcomed Mandy to our team, many of our customers now recognise Mandy who is constantly in and out of their doors delivering retail products and buffets.  Some of our trainees take turns in going along with Mandy who much appreciates the extra help.

Unfortunately, Sandy resigned from Fly Cup just after I started, she is sadly missed by everyone but she pops in regularly to see us.  However, this week I was delighted to meet Joanne, who has been on maternity leave since June.  She gave birth to a little girl and the whole family are doing well.  I was glad to hear that she is intending to return to work at Fly Cup at the end of spring 2014.  I know we will look forward to seeing her again.

Our volunteers are important to us, as we would not be able to do the work we do, or give the trainees the support they need without them.  I will not name them all here, they know who they are, but we are grateful for their time and support.  Maybe a picture in the next "Natter"

Christmas holiday times

Following the public Christmas party lunches we will be hosting a trainee Christmas Tea Party at the coffee shop on 19th December after which we will be closed until 8th January.  Staff will be returning prior to that for on-site training, planning and preparing much needed orders for customers.  

Please remember that Fly Cup is the cafe in the community for the community and we look forward to welcoming old friends and making new ones in the coming months and years.  Please share your enthusiasm for Fly Cup with others and suggest they follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/pages/flycup-catering or you can follow me at twitter @flycuppa .  visit the  website www.flycup.org.uk.  You are welcome to e-mail me manager@flycup.org or Carol info@flycup.org.uk.  If you prefer a human voice then call us on 01467 625645.

And Finally, 
I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support and customer during 2013, and to everyone at Fly Cup Catering and everyone reading the "Natter" may we wish ourselves and each other a very happy Christmas and look forward to a prosperous and happy 2014.

Until next "Natter" take care of yourselves and if you are at the cafe remember to say hello to me.....Best wishes - Denise