Week beginning November 18th - A Dinner Speech

This week I have been asked to speak at a business dinner for over 110 guests at the HSBC headquarters at Canary Wharf. HSBC were the bank that were kind enough to back Kaffeine when I approached them, in the middle of the recession, with a visual presentation, a business plan and a lot of determination.

I can see their problem when they are approached by people wanting to 'follow their dream' and they say no and decline the application for a loan. Is it because of the lack of experience the applicant has? Most probably. Is it because of the lack of detail and passion shown in the business plan? Again, most probably. I can only say that you must of course follow your dream, but be absolutely sure that it will not turn into your nightmare.

I try to say his as humbly as possible, but I have over 20 years experience in the Hospitality industry. I am not a chef, I am not a barista and I am not at all perfect, but, one of the reasons HSBC did back me in the end was because of my experience, and in a world/industry of such hard, and I stress hard, competition, it does count for a bit.

And because of this, they have now asked me to speak about it to over 100 business professionals at the head office of one of the biggest banks in the world.

It is a very nice compliment indeed. I hope I do well.



Breakfast
Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 2.90
Wheat free muesli with popped corn and compote 2.90
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passionfruit, peach) 2.90
Ciabatta Roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.00
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.00
Croissant with gruyere cheese and plum tomatoes 3.20
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with homemade preserves 1.70
Honey, almond and milk toast 1.70
Banana Bread 2.00

Porridge with condiments of muscovado sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, honey or rhubarb and raspberry compote 2.50

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.60
Pain au chocolat 2.00
Almond croissants 2.60

Baked Treats
Pear and Walnut Muffins 1.80
Four Cheese muffins 1.80
Pear and Passionfruit friands 1.80
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.20
White chocolate blondies 2.20
Portuguese tarts 1.80
ANZAC cookies 1.60
Afgan biscuits 1.60

Lunch
Soup 3.00/3.50
Hungarian Goulash

French retro baguettes 4.30
Ham, brie with plum tomatoes, basil, aioli and spinach
OR
Tuna with rouille, capers and rocket

Foccacias with sea salt and rosemary crust 4.70
Roast chicken with salsa verde OR
Crown Prince Squash with ricotta and spinach

Salads £4.00/£5.00/£8.00
Crown prince Squash with Goats cheese and wet walnuts OR
Vietnamese noodle chicken salad with sweet chilli, thai basil, peanuts and cucumber OR
Brussel sprouts with savoury apples and hazel nuts

Tart 4.00 or 6.00 with salad
Mushroom and Leek and Pecorino

Peter, Catherine, Emma, Krysty, Justin, Amy, Melissa, Jessica, Jared, Khan