MattyMakesMunch

There’s been smiles, laughter, tears, frustrations, love and anger, but ultimately, there’s always been us. Mr and Mrs Stamp, 19.07.24. Love wins, always. ❤️

Well, as they say, when in the Cotswolds, enjoy a trip!
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Settled in on the high street of Bourton-on-the-water, is this fantastic installment of the talented and simple chain that delivers all things baked and coffee. We popped in for a quick lunch to then sit along the free flowing stream that runs through the center of this picturesque and ideallic, stone-clad village.
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A chai latte and hot chocolate set us up, with a sausage roll and my pastie, which was bacon, leek and cheese. I personally love the look of a pastie that’s leaked all over, but when it leaks all over my face like this one did, even better…
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Amy stumbled across in Bourton-on-the-water for breakfast during my weekend surprise trip away, having researched areas around where we were staying, and this place stood out to her due to their pledge to source as locally and as fairly as they can, something she knows I love! 🥰
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Walking in, the vibe was busy, having to wait a good while before even getting handed a menu, and then an even more good while to have our order taken, but still cosey, boujee and stylish. Simple prints hang around the shop, my favourite saying; ‘Calories - fugly little monsters that live in your washing machine and shrink your clothes’.
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Food and drink both good, Jesse’s pork sausage being standout on the breakfast, as produced by a local independant butcher, bursting with pepper and that wonderful mouth feel of a moist sausage..
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For dinner on our weekend away, in the quaint little town of Stow-on-the-wold, Amy took me to , Englands oldest and also most haunted Inn.
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There’s stories online about the nurse in room 5, the flickering lights of the ladies lavatory and the fireplace within the main dining room for those of you who love the after life, but for us, it was the steaks that were stand out 🫶
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My starter wasn’t much of a looker, but was puff pastry wrapped goats cheese, rocket, sun dried tomatoes and a zingy dressing. Packed a real punch and went down really nicely with the passion fruit mojitos that I’d ordered 🍹
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Amy had the fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, and I had the chunkiest rib eye steak I’ve ever had, with bernaise. Both cooked to absolute perfection to what we wanted, and both thoroughly enjoyed and devoured.
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Classic pub desserts of hot chocolate brownie, and my sticky toffee pudding, washed down with what is in my opinion the god tier of all cocktails - an espresso martini.
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Absolutely bloody lovely!
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Pub snacks - the pub where Amy booked us a room whilst in the Cotswolds
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Having walked around Stow-on-the-wold eating ice cream and rosey apples, having stood in a line at .farmshop for an hour and passing on another long line for the burger, we got some sustainance in the beer garden along with some draught cider. Classic scotch egg with garlic aioli, halloumi fries and chipotle mayo, and the classic greaseproof paper lined metal cup of chips - no complaints from me, enjoyed every last mouthful 🫶
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The bloke behind the counter at the Cotswold Sweet Shop didn’t have much of a hard sell once he told me that all of the ice creams with a yellow sign are handmade, which lead to me getting a double serving, one maple and walnut, and one coffee and cream - flavours I’ll definitely be putting into a dessert soon! A quart of rosey apples to keep the doctor away too, right?
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First post from the new job, garlic and Parmesan crusted Scotch Eggs 🥚
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Been a bit quiet and maybe not posting as much recently whilst I find my feet and settle in, but I couldn’t not grab a quick snap of these scotch eggs which rolled their way out this morning, and all sold by the end of lunch which is a bonus!
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It feels like a lifetime ago now, but in reality, it was only three weeks ago, but I never got round to telling you all about the fantastic food I had at 👨🏼‍🍳 😘
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had really hyped this place up to me, along with , saying that it was great and often going there after work on a weekend and after multiple missed attempts at going, we went together. Stefan had a Skepasti, essentially two flatbreads filled with cooked meats, salad and tzatziki, topped with fries, and Kevin and myself had double meat gyros. Finished it with a large Greek sausage that for once didn’t make my jaw ache. Washed down by liquid co***ne, or as it’s better known as, Loux.
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The gyros was stunning, juicy meat, rich and creamy tzatziki, well seasoned salad and the freshest flatbread in the land. Mixed with crispy, salty fries, although it was a mouthful to eat, was great. The Greek sausage was throbbing and moist with fatty flavours that coat the tongue, very paprika and herb heavy but with a traditional snap of a classic banger. Bread to help towel up the residue left behind. Loux, as mentioned earlier, is liquid co***ne. Imagine if Fanta and Oringina had a love child and it evacuated the bottled womb wearing a Barbour jacket, had rayban sunglasses on and shouted obscenities and poor, unsuspecting members of the public, and that is Loux in a drink. Phenomenal.
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Mr Greek, I’ll be back. 🫶🇬🇷
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Almost two years ago to the day, both and entrusted me to come on board the team and take ownership of a kitchen and build on not only on the thriving success the shop already had, but myself as a person and as a chef 👨🏼‍🍳
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It wasn’t the easiest of beginnings for me, starting at a time where I had to grow up pretty fast having just purchased a house with the love of my life , coming on board of the weekend of the late Queen’s platinum jubilee, adapting to a completely different environment and learning who wanted what as far as customer demands, staff requests and suppliers availability. It has been, as with any job, one with ups and downs, but more noticeable the ups have been way up in the sky, having been a part of the team when we gained a very solid 5* EHO rating and even best cafe in Newmarket. The menu and team development has been a fascinating process to be a part of and push from behind closed, or in the shops case, open doors. Watching the new shop in Sawston become a destination cafe with the most wonderful team members is something I’ll forever be in awe of, having always wanted to stand and cook where my good friend once did would’ve been an honour as my mentor, colleague and friend who taught me the crucial skills needed within a kitchen.
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VV has also been the location of many key moments which will stay with me forever. Most importantly, it was outside one day at 3pm where I broke down in facetime to my brother at the news that our saving grace Amelia had finally joined us in this mad world, albeit a few weeks earlier. Equally, it’s where I also broke down at receiving the news of a cancer diagnosis of a close family member. The highs and lows of life, ultimately comforted and embarrassed within the four walls of the sunny palace of all things regarding good food, good coffee and great people.
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Thank you for taking that gamble on me, Vicky and Nick, I hope I didn’t let you down.
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(Nick maybe chuck the empty caramel crispie tubs in the outside bin if you don’t want to get grassed up? 🤷🏼‍♂️)
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Cake is a fantastic thing to have to celebrate everything, from birthdays to weddings, and even last days 🫶
•cook was sweet enough to pop in and see me and bring me this fantastic Reece’s inspired celebration cake, which is extremely delicious. With peanut butter buttercream, whipped chocolate ganache and mini Reece’s cups, safe to say my diet is well and truely out of the window because it’s so fudgey and pudding-y that I’ll be eating myself into a food coma until I’ve got no more cake 🍰
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Thank you so much Jas, you’re truly one in a million and it’s been great to work with you and to watch you blossom into the person you are today, can’t wait until you’re a top doc running this country, I said it here first!
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Tomorrow I say see you later to my friends and family at Victor Victoria Coffee with one last busy Friday shift before I set my sights on my new challenge starting next week. Thank you Vicky Snell and Nick for taking a gamble on me, I do hope it’s paid off and helped grow the idealic corner of Sun Lane into a thriving community hub where everyone is welcome, even Neil Goodman. As I said, it’s a see you later, rather than a goodbye, as I’ll be in for coffee and baps when I’m in Newmarket and seeing the family. 🫶

Garden Centers often intrigue Amy and myself, and we’ve definitely fallen in love with our local garden center in Wilburton, , even more so now that I’ve had this from their breakfast menu.
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A breakfast stack of pancakes, bacon, sausage and egg served with warmed maple syrup. We sat in their garden last Thursday soaking up the sun, it felt like we could have been 1000 miles way in a completely different climate.
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Also had a cheese and bacon turnover because they’re elite and it was homemade, flakey, salty, lovely. 🫶
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What’s your go to muffin for either a breakfast on the go, or tea time treat; Blueberry and Vanilla or Banana and Dark Chocolate?
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Incredibly proud of both, perfectly domed, fluffy and soft, with a lovely crust. Handmade, fresh, simple. 🥰
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Pan fried Buttered Cod with Garlic, Lemon and Chilli, with roasted New Potatoes and Carrots. Another quick and simple 15 minute meal with the help of an air fryer, non stick skillet and a crap tonne of butter 🧈
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Last nights dinner, in the sun, surrounded by our lovely garden, was a belter ☀️
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Beef fajita bake, with pitta, tortilla chips and roasted brocolli. An easy, grazing dinner, after a hot and sticky Saturday was just what the doctor ordered 🥰
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Great company as usual too 🫶
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There’s a brief moment before all the madness of a chaotic Saturday and Sunday where we get to look at the counter and enjoy a short momentary bout of pride and accomplishment, wether that be from how well our artisan pastries have proved and baked, how stunning our cakes baked in house have turned out or even how our vegan options from grace the slates with their presence.
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With not many weekends left on the sunny corner of Sun Lane, I’d like to thank everyone over the last two years and even further, who have helped me develop into the chef, person, friend and even fiancé who I am today. The massive adjustment into coffee shop life wasn’t easy, and I know it’ll be an even bigger adjustment leaving behind the fantastic friends I’ve made both as coworkers, suppliers and customers. Please do come into the shop and see me, and if you want to see the counter bulging like my trousers if I ever get round to visiting the new VolvoWorld in Gothenburg, then get in early rather than later, as these don’t all hang about!
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PS I used the word bout because it rhymes with gout, right Vicky?
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Took Amy to the morning after her birthday for a brunch like no other! 🧇
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I stumbled across this little place whilst researching where to go, and it was so highly rated, had a great social media presence and ultimately wasn’t a chain, so had to get us in!
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We ordered almost straight away, having already looked at the menu. Both got hot drinks, a tea and a cappuccino, and then Amy ordered their cheesey beans waffle, with the addition of two fried eggs, which she said made the dish completely. Cheese was toasted into the waffle and then served with a ginormous mound of grated cheddar and huge pot of beans, and then two lovely heart shaped eggs just topped it off. I ordered the bacon and eggs, on a wholemeal waffle. The crunch of the waffle wasn’t lost underneath the perfectly scrambled eggs, and proper thick cut, crispy fat but juicy streaky bacon was an absolute delight. Also ordered a ‘side waffle’ (as you do) which had applewood smoked cheese baked into it, topped with garlic butter, rosemary sea salt and chilli jam. Amy wasn’t such a fan of this so I had to eat the whole thing myself. Whoops. 😇
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Price wise, I think three drinks and three waffles came to around the same price£33/£36 mark. Atmosphere was really lovely and intimate, a small shop but plenty of seating and opportunities which I enjoyed reading about on the information card. Plenty of choice, with the waffles themselves available as plain, wholewheat, gluten free and vegan, so catered for everyone. Staff super friendly, chatty and accommodating so could not ask for more. What a find!
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Food: 10/10
Drinks: 8.5/10
Atmosphere/Vibe: 9/10
Price: 10/10
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and myself were invited to the launch party tonight based in the old M&Co in Ely, but as it’s Amy’s birthday (happy birthday my future wife!!) we are out and about celebrating! So, instead, we went for lunch!
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We were greeted and sat at the door by the manager, a very enthusiastic chap whose name I’ve forgotten (sorry!) and sat on a lovely table over looking the bar, pass, and wall of pictures that aren’t pictures! He explained the menus to us, the ordering process (either at the bar or via a qr code) and left us to it.
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Amy celebrated with the blueberry pancakes, and I had the bigger lounge breakfast, minus the nasty bits (mushrooms and tomatoes) with extra halloumi and hash browns! We were both pleasantly surprised with everything on our plate being hot. Sounds silly, but often pancakes as light and fluffy cool quickly, and elements of a breakfast cool whilst the rest cook, so all in all for food, pretty good! Yes, maybe I’d like my toast toasted a little more, and my bacon a little *less* cooked, but ultimately it was delicious!
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Drinks wise, tea and cappuccino, and two pink lemonades. Can’t argue the pot of tea, my cappuccino was okay, but the pink lemonades really stand out. I want to go back hungover and have the same meal and drink as I can see the benefits, but equally, I want a pitcher of that lemonade on a hot summers day!
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The vibe inside is really nice, we described it as a cross between a classic cosy club crossed with Bills, two absolute titans in the chain gang. My only complaint would be that for a Wednesday afternoon, it was a bit too loud music wise, and very dimly lit. I was sad I couldn’t get some nice photos on my phone, but the lighting was that or a Parisian smoking lounge.
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All in, worth a visit if you’re in the area! My ratings are;
Food - 9/10
Drinks - 10/10
Atmosphere and Vibe - 7.5/10
Price - 8/10
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We will definitely be back to try out the tapas, the flatbreads, the burgers and the chicken club soon! 😍
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helped to kick off the 2024 season of foodie Fridays with the help of lots of other independent food and drink teams from around the local area.
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Friday night saw the market square transform back into the summer vibes party of flowing drinks, buzzing live music and the smells of multiple cuisines flirting with your senses and making you all horngry. Annoyingly, I wasn’t too hungry, or else I think I might’ve ended up with gyros, pasta, paella, scotch eggs, pizza and waffles. I made a b-line for the lovely ladies over at Waffle&Co because their signature chicken waffles was one of the first I’d ever done a post on, and haven’t had since the foodie fair on Parker’s Piece many years ago. Crispy chicken soaked in maple syrup, plenty of rich butter and chives on their base waffle vessels, which were crisp and perfect to take on any flavour placed on top. I was going to go back for some sweet ones as the evening went on, but had cider instead. Had to make up for a god awful Pornstar Martini I was served at the start of the night, less about that.
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Glad you’re back, Foodie Fridays. 🫶
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Thanks to team I’ve been invited to try out and test new low calorie sweetener tablets, as I use sweeteners in my coffee every day. I moved from using sugar to low calorie tablets a few years ago, just to reduce my calorific intake, a decision I’m happy I made now that I work full time in a coffee shop 😅
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My thoughts? Well, truth be told, it does the job it intends to! Would I consider moving to them from my current sweetener? Maybe not. When I tried it in my morning black coffee, it didn’t taste quite as sweet, but also left quite a metallic, chemical aftertaste? Palatable, definitely, but not enough to make me what to change.
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I got sent this by one of our loyal regulars today and couldn’t not share it! Thank you 🫶
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Been playing around with our very own VV hot cross bun as the weekend closes in on us and I think we’re 95% of the way there! Hopefully you can all come in and try one when possible 🥰
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Had some pretty mega pizzas at last night before visiting lights show which was a spectacle and a half.
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Alongside their normal menu, and what would appear to be Chef Shane’s specials, is their pizza menu. Sold as ‘LG’, meaning low gluten, the pizza bases are thin and crispy and can come with a range of oils drizzled on top. Amy has the Cajun chicken and I had the pepperoni with a drizzle of garlic oil. The combination of pepperoni and garlic oil was lovely but the two together was quite salty, which I now know for next time.
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Obvs paired it with fries and onion rings because we’re not Neanderthals and the Cajun seasoning on the onions rings alone is enough to get me going 🫡
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Do my pulled chicken quesadillas look sexy? I think so.
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Charlie’s fifth birthday cake was a fantastic two layer chocolate cake with whipped Kit Kat frosting topped with chocolate candies all wrapped up with his chosen decorations of the avengers!
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Filth this weekend. Mulled Wine Poached Pear Frangipane. Tart. Yes.
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A classic I learnt, perfected and enjoyed in my time at turned into something that’ll go perfectly with a brew at .
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Christmas is coming and we couldn’t resist adding a ‘Pigs in Blanket’ toastie to our specials board this weekend and it’s looking and tasting great! Pigs in blanket using , French brie, sage and onion stuffing with a cranberry sauce 😋 I don’t think I need to say more! ❤️🎄 Open 8.30 - 4pm
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What do me and these gingerbread baubles have in common? We were both mistakes.
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When one of our sticky gingerbread loaves came out of the oven and dropped significantly, we let it cool and whipped it up with melted white chocolate and butter, and formed this dark chocolate covered goodies which flew off of the counter yesterday.
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Did you manage to try one of my big, juicy baubles yesterday? Let me know what you thought. Next time, we’ll make ‘Oopsie Christmas puss’ with whatever cake we balls up. 🤷🏼‍♂️
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I fingered some foccacia earlier on in the week and thoroughly enjoyed it. 🥖
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