El Cafe Verde, on Sheffield Road, specialises in catering for allergies and intolerances to help families with dietary needs eat together. With their gluten free afternoon teas being one of the most popular items on the homemade takeout menu so far.
The shop will now see its first eat in customers on July 4 as lockdown restrictions ease.
Gemma Hannan-Power, who runs the cafe with her three daughters, said she was inspired to start the inclusive cafe after finding it difficult to eat out with her children as all four of them have dietary needs. Including a severe milk allergy, gluten intolerance and one has a vegan diet.
The 38-year-old, who has live in Chesterfield all her life said: “The business was inspired by my gluten free, lactose free, milk allergy, vegan and vegetarian family. Eating out together is a nightmare.
“If we all wanted milkshakes when we went out it was impossible. I wanted to create somewhere families, with dietary needs, can all eat the same things together. Somewhere you can have piece of cake at the same time. So we try and make a vegan and gluten free version of everything we do.
“On a daily basis we cater to vegan, gluten free, nut free and soya free diets. That is what we can cater for with no notice. If it is something quite rare people should give us 24 hour notice.
“They are all prepared in separate areas. Gluten free bread even has its own toaster.”
Despite only opening for takeout on June 15 after 18 months of planning to open the cafe, Gemma said she has had “amazing” feedback from customers.
She added: “We needed to get people through the door to pay rent, that’s why we opened. Since we’ve opened the feedback has been amazing. We have had a lot of orders for our Sunday dinners and dessert night menu.
“Once people can sit inside I am quite confident we will do well. I am excited for people sitting in, but we are in uncertain times and need to make the best of it.”
Gemma’s daughters Charlotte, 16, Courtney, 15 and Chloe, 13, all “very good cooks” who have “health and hygiene training” are helping to run the cafe at the moment, creating homemade treats including vegan brownies and gluten free carrot cake.
Gemma said: “You can’t fault them they are doing amazing.”
Gemma added that she looks to get more staff in the future.
To order from the cafe ring 01246 589603.
