Edition 2

Creating Opportunities

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

Be-spoke Christmas Cakes.

A little belated, but the whole team at Fly Cup would like to wish all our customers, past, present and future a very happy 2014.

Update - End of 2013

The last, which was also the first edition of  "The Natter" included an introduction to a new member of our Fly Cup Catering team June Falkiner.  June arrived during December and was straight away introduced to the Christmas Mince Pie order sheet.  If you ate one, I can almost guarantee it was made by our trainees with the help of June.

Nicole decorated my cake for me.

As well as Mince Pie we provided over a dozen hand made Christmas Cakes, each one unique, baked and decorated on-site by staff with the help of trainees. I can confirm that the cake which was made and decorated with the help of Nicole, was absolutely delicious and I have eaten my way through it over the past few weeks. 

Full !!!

In addition, to all the retail products of pies and cakes, the coffee shop was very busy, with over 110 people enjoyed a festive meal of either two or four courses.

Sean and Keri laid the Christmas table.

  

Our trainees were very involved in all aspects of the lunches, from preparing vegetables, laying tables and serving our customers.  As you can see from the picture, Keri and Sean would very much liked to have been having a lunch, but on this occasion they were just laying the table.


Feedback from our customers was lovely, thank you for your support.

We are pleased to have already had an enquiry for next Christmas, some people are just organised !!

To end the news from 2013, I would just like to share some of the fun we had at our trainee Christmas Party.  We started the proceedings by presenting certificates.  Then the fun began, with finger food, a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, live music and Karoke, and (of course) a visit from Santa !

No need for words I think the pictures speak for themselves.  Albeit to say a jolly good time was had by all !!

As so to 2014 - and forward thinking.

Hot Cross Buns, ready for Easter.

We have all got straight back into things since returning from Christmas break, the coffee shop opened on 8th January and surprisingly we have had a steady stream of customers, and quite a few who have not been to Fly Cup Coffee shop before.  The bakery was back to normal straight away with all our regular customers re-stocking their shelves with tray bakes and shortbread. The Kitchen has not been quiet so busy with outside catering events, allowing us to spend a little time on planning ahead, in particular thinking about celebration events, such Burns, Valentines day and Easter.

Next week we will be celebrating Burn with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties on the menu, with a taste of Scottish Tablet to finish off.  And, although a little early, the bakery have started to prepare for Easter and this week we added Hot Cross Buns to our coffee shop menu.

Talking of customers, I am delighted to let you know that we have recently been awarded approval to supply catering to Schlumberger for their ad-hoc lunches, and are working with CJ Lang to become an approve vendor for Spar.  If you know of any other companies or retailers who would benefit in knowing what Fly Cup can provide then please do not hesitate to drop me an email and any contact names you may have.  (As the saying goes "its not what you know but who you know"!)

You - Supporting our Charity.

Following my last "Natter" we have had some lovely gifts and donations from customers visiting our coffee shop also companies who want to support a local charity.  Such as, Poundland (Inverurie) who donated 25 Christmas hats for our trainees Christmas party (see pictures above).  The donation of the Festive Cheer hamper from Keri's gran, raised £223.00 and was won by customer Gaynor.

Christmas Cheer Hamper won by Gaynor

A music center for the trainee staff room from Mrs Mellis, a customer in the coffee shop who read about our need in the last "Natter".  Thank you.

Tor Ecosse (Thainstone) raffled off Christmas gifts to staff and donated £85.00.

A friend of mine (Jenny) didn't send any Christmas cards and instead handed me a cheque for £50.00 this week, the money is going to be used to purchase new aprons for the team in the coffee shop.

In addition, I can add that, £265.00 from Caber Coffee's Ethyco grant has been awarded to enable a music centre to be purchased for the Coffee shop (I can now take my one back home!)

New Whites for everyone,
embroidered free of charge by Langstane Press
(Inverurie)

In my last "Natter" I mentioned that we had a grant from the Garioch Charity Shop for baby changing facilities and equipment.  Being frugal, we were able to buy all the equipment without spending the full amount and with the permission of the Charity Shop Directors,  I was able to buy a new set of Whites for all the trainees and staff in the kitchen.   As part of their corporate social responsibility objectives, Langstane Press embroidered the logo onto all of the uniforms free of charge, everyone looks very smart and we appreciated their contribution.

And finally, last but not least, World Duty Free at the airport, who support us regularly offered their customers a gift wrapping service and donated the proceeds to our fund.

We thank each and everyone one of you for your support.! 

The staff and volunteer team

As reported in the last "Natter" Santander awarded Fly Cup Catering funding of £20,000 during the autumn of 2013 towards staffing costs for one year.  I introduced June in my last edition, since then we have been joined by Claire who got straight into things helping in the coffee shop and floating around the kitchen in the lead up to Christmas.  Claire has been working four days a week during the busy part of the day and those of you regularly visiting the coffee shop will be getting to know her well.  A great addition to our team, welcome!

Volunteers are important to Fly Cup and we could not do as much with our trainees as we would like, without them.  Consequently, when we have a unexpected volunteer they are most welcome.  This was the case when following my plea for help at our bag pack a Facebook follower, Lesley turned up at Marks and Spencers in December.  Although I haven't seen Lesley since I heard from her mum that she had enjoyed the experience very much.  Not surprising, if you like to people watch, the occasion and shopping habits of people on the Monday before Christmas was fascinating.  Thank you Lesley for your help, we look forward to your continued support during the year with our fundraising objectives.  If you or any of your friends would like to volunteer with Fly Cup I would be delighted to discuss opportunities with you, from basic dish washing, supporting our trainees in their activities, helping with outside events, being part of our fundraising team, or helping with administration tasks.

Fundraising events

During the past year we have been fortunate to be the chosen Charity for the team at Marks and Spencer's (Inverurie).  Julie and her team at the store have organised a number of events and raising money in a variety of ways.  Over the coming weeks Julie and her team are organising a Bingo Night and a Quiz Night, both are being held here at Fly Cup, with refreshments included in the ticket price.  Preliminary dates are Friday 31st January or 7th February and 30th March.  In addition, there is a bag pack planned for 1st March.  If you would like tickets to any of the events, or can help with the bag pack, PLEASE let me know as soon as possible.

And Finally,

Spring is looming, the snow drops are starting to put their white heads up in my garden, the team here at Fly Cup look forward to welcoming old friends and new customers in our coffee shop, new retail customers around the area, and to delivering a range of new products, we look forward to having you along for the journey.

Until my next "Natter" take care of yourselves and if in the cafe remember to say hello to me.

This "Natter" is distributed as widely as possible and can be found
Via this blog at flycuppa.blogspot.com
You can request an email copy manager@flycup.org c
Connect on our Facebook page which is facebook.com/pages/Flycup-catering
Follow me on twitter @flycuppa
or if you are not bothered about modern technology then just ask for a paper copy (printed courtesy of Semco Maritime UK, Aberdeen) from any of the staff when visiting the coffee shop or phone me on 01467 625645.

 Best wishes .....Denise

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 1^st 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