An experienced chef who once cooked for the late Queen Elizabeth II has been appointed to run the café in The EpiCentre at Haverhill Research Park.
Mark Smith, who now manages The Hub, said: ”After the meal at St James’s Palace, we waited to be presented to the Queen at the bottom of the stairs and had a quick ‘nod and hello’ with Her Majesty.”
For Mark, as part of the Royal Guard Rooms, rotating between Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and St James’s Palace, meeting the Queen was the highlight of a 24-year career in the Army Catering Corps which he joined at 16-years-old, serving both at home and abroad.
Chef Mark Smith behind the counter at The Hub café at The EpiCentre on Haverhill Research Park. Picture: Submitted
The Hub is open daily during the week from 8.30am and 3pm and Mark, said: “We are expanding our offer, with something for everyone.
“Starting in the morning we offer porridge, bacon and sausage baps with our lunch offer being a mix of salads, home made sandwiches from our deli counter as well as daily hot meals such as hot pulled pork baps, soup or ham, egg and chips.”
The Hub’s target customers include the EpiCentre’s occupiers, now totalling over 35 companies, together with local people or groups with free time to come and have coffee and cake in pleasant surroundings with excellent parking facilities.
Helen Earl, centre manager at The EpiCentre, said: “It is great to have Mark on board and we are already receiving very positive responses from both occupiers in the building and visitors dropping in for a quick coffee.”
The Hub is run by new contract catering company PINCH Food Ltd whose partners collectively have over 100 years of experience in hospitality and is quickly expanding.
Founder Katy Thompson said: “Mark is already broadening The Hub’s offer and the café is fast becoming a destination for the local community.”