We sat down with Dursley café owner Amy Ellis to find out a little more about why eating at the Bank Café is so special.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, including where you are
today, professionally, and what got you here?
I started the Bank Café nine years ago. I have always loved working in hospitality and dreamed of having my own café one day. When the building became vacant after the HSBC closed – I was given a chance to look around it, it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
What’s your signature dish?
Every dish is made fresh to order and all our cakes are made at the café throughout the week. I wouldn’t say we have a signature dish but people do love our breakfasts!
What are the most important considerations when crafting your menu?
I love comfort food dishes!! Things that can be dunked, dipped or dolloped and plenty of melted cheese! Food that makes people happy. It’s always so lovely to put a plate of good food in front of someone and see their face light up. It’s the same with a coffee which has been lovingly made or a big wedge of fresh squidgy cake! It’s why I love my job, because it makes people happy.
What is your favourite ingredient?
I couldn’t do without would be garlic!
What’s your favourite piece of kitchen equipment?
Our tangerine Everhot. We do all our baking on it.
Where’s your favourite place to dine?
Too many to mention, but the Old Spot do a fantastic roast!
What would you be doing if you weren’t running the Bank Café?
If I wasn’t running the café I’d still have to be involved with food and people, it’s all I know and it’s what I love.
What’s your favourite takeaway or comfort food?
My Mum’s cottage pie with lots of buttery peas or my sister’s roast dinner.
My favourite takeaway is really good fish and chips ideally eaten on a bench, by the sea!
