All about fifty seven

Did you know I own fifty seven, 57 North Cross Road, SE22?

Some of you may have visited already at one of our supper clubs or networking events or art markets and questioned what it’s all about.

Hopefully I can help!

I bought the space from Brian who ran it as a pet shop for many years and was a huge part of the community. Online shopping meant it was tricky for him to survive so he sold up and retired, moving to Milford Haven. He was happy to sell to me as I was, since childhood, a long standing customer of the shop and he wanted it to continue to be a place to go on North Cross Road. I paid a fair price and I must make it work as a business but it’s also important to me, having lived in SE22 all my life, for fifty seven to remain a huge place in the community.

Part way through the buying process, my father took ill and later sadly passed away and I was in no state to continue immediately with my project so left the space for a while but still had to work in my real business over on Barry Road. (Suzanne James Caterers). I employ many talented and professional, local people who all do the most splendid job caring about clients events and parties that we cater. If you are unsure of my business ethics please google “Suzanne James Review”. I quite like what I read and hope you will too. Fast forward a couple of years and fifty seven does still remain to be a great part of North Cross Road and while I do need to run a business, I also host my East Dulwich Supper Club from there which allows me to train young people wanting to enter the hospitality industry through my project, Earn while you Learn. As this allows me to benefit with my staff training, I feel others should too, so I give 100% of the profits to Westminster House Youth Club who in return, have partnered a project with me called Cooking from Scratch which teaches their young people to cook. Once a year this project becomes Bridging the Gap and the young people cook and serve afternoon tea for the older people in the community. So you see, one good deed offers a lot of Pass It On!

I guess I am telling you all this so that you can look out for East Dulwich Supper Club tickets on this website here and maybe even consider hiring my space on a personal level if you have a special event coming up. I am a trained chef and have been in business for over 20 years. For me, there is nothing better than the silence when a meal is being enjoyed or the chatter at a family dinner table – knowing I have created precious time for friends and family to have time together is a beautiful feeling.

We hire the space as a pop-up restaurant (top tip, look out for The Tiny Italian who is often in residence), as a cookery school, as an art market, for social media training classes and so much more.

We have a pretty little courtyard garden and a ‘shed’ at the back. We are a fully functioning dining space for up to 24 guests and would love to hear from you if you have a special event on the horizon so we can look after you and your guests with quite possibly the best hospitality experience in Dulwich. Oh and we are BYO too!

If you have a larger event at home or in a venue then also get in touch as my real business is as an event caterer and planner and so would love to offer you the opportunity to relax and enjoy your party in the same way that your guests will.

That’s me and my business. Hope to hear from some of you if you need us.

Please do get in touch by email.