The Natural Kitchen: location for London gourmets

“Food-miles have become a big issue here in England. I’m not interested in pineapples flown in from Africa,” says Justin Green. He much prefers fresh food and produce sourced locally. In a different location as the specialist food store Green runs a restaurant and catering service since years. “Just today we are doing the catering for three events,” comments Green, working under considerable pressure. The salads - fresh every day - cakes, tarts and other food are prepared mainly by three staff in the restaurant kitchen during the day. The restaurant is only open in the evening. (Picture on left: The new owner Justin Green)

The proportion of organic food has dropped from the estimated 80 % under the previous management to around 60 %. “We do buy organics if the price justifies it. Consumers don’t just accept any price, and it’s no good me buying expensive products if I only have to throw them away,” states Mr Green. For example, if the price of organic chicken is too high, they sell English free-range birds instead. Despite plenty of customers shopping in the store, it is not yet in the black, although they are confident they will turn the corner in the next few months. “Of course, the current economic downturn is not exactly helping,” is Green’s comment to Organic-Market.Info. The product range is around 2,500 articles in a retail area measuring 520 m². (Picture: View of the interior with bread and bakery goods on the left, meat and sausage counter on right)

“The Natural Kitchen” was opened on 19 May 2007. The impression you get when you enter the store is that you are in a delicatessen shop: on the left a long cheese counter with 75 varieties of cheese and freshly prepared takeway food: quiches, fresh salads and sandwiches. Beyond the cheese counter is the sausage and cut meat counter with fine hams reminiscent of Italy. You can also buy game at the meat counter on the right hand side.

The staff provide very good service both in sales and advising customers. You reach a point at the back where the shop gets narrower and when you pass through you come to the fruit and vegetable department on the right, a little smaller than before and now with a couple of tables that invite you to sit for a while. The wide product range, that is mainly sourced in England, is attractively presented on chilled shelves.

The big wine department (about 25 m²), with around 250 different wines, is located in the basement, and it is here that you can taste samples and get information. Books on cooking and nutrition are on display for people to browse or buy. Four different sorts of coffee beans are available to be freshly ground and bagged to ensure you get the best possible flavour.

On the top floor is a bistro (picture below) that is open during shopping hours. It is also used for seminars and lecture evenings that include a meal. The new fine food supermarket established its reputation two years ago with evening events, such as an asparagus meal accompanied by information on the principles of organic farming or the topic Slow Food. The 42 places were all booked.

Prices in the restaurant are normal: various sandwiches, for example with red onion and feta or smoked salmon, cost £ 6.50. A cheese, tomato and spinach quiche with mixed salad, bread and butter costs £ 8.50. Salty nibbles, cake, freshly pressed juices and hot drinks are served too.

Regarding supplies of local produce, The Natural Kitchen cooperates with various producers and suppliers like Vintage Roots (wines), River Cottage (vegetables), Sunnyfields (vegetables), The Well Hung Meat Company and Paxton & Whitfield (cheese). As much as possible is sourced in the region. (Picture on left: A customer enjoying a fresh apple-carrot juice)

As a whole, The Natural Kitchen offers a splendid array of top-quality foods and provides excellent service, and, despite the economic downturn, it will hopefully conquer the hearts of the people living in the Marylebone district in central London. Certainly, Whole Foods Market, that opened in Kensington also two years ago, is on a much larger scale, but the size of The Natural Kitchen makes it easy to find your way round the shop, and the quality is really first-class.



www.the naturalkitchen.com, 
77/78 Marylebone High Street,
London W1U 5JX