I LOVE the Board Café Bar

Since The Board Cafe Bar opened last February, it’s been nothing short of a triumph for owner Dave Mcnair and his family – albeit with a LOT of hard graft.

Constantly – and glowingly – recommended on social media, The Board was just what Cheadle Hulme was crying out for.

Dave is a Cheadle Hulme lad through-and-through, growing up on Waverley Drive and attending Cheadle RC before moving on to St James’ High School at 11. He now lives in a charming, period cottage in the village with gorgeous wife Victoria – they’ve been there over thirteen years. The couple have two beautiful daughters, who attend local schools themselves – and are often to be see helping out in The Board. Either that, or visiting with their friends for those delicious milkshakes…

The Board may not have seemed like a natural progression for Dave, who worked in IT before facing redundancy. However, he was a chef in his younger days and always had a dream of opening his own place. It was actually a conversation following a City match – in the pub, where else? – that set the ball rolling, when his friend let him know Paprika was up for sale. The sale was complete by November 2014, and with a whole lot of hard work, opened four months later – it would’ve been sooner but the builders closed down over Christmas.

Dave McNair – Owner

Local Suppliers for Local People…

Dave carried out extensive ‘market research’, visiting coffee shops and bars, from Bramhall to the Northern Quarter, partaking of their wares. Sounds like a tough job, Dave! He often visited Bramhall for lazy Sunday brunches and knew Cheadle Hulme needed something new, something with that same quality – somewhere he would like to go himself. He also used the opportunity to source his suppliers – which include Pimlott’s, Waterhouse’s, the Baking Tray and Peter Herd’s. As Dave says, they’re not just local – they’re superb quality, too.

Of course, there were challenges. Getting the building up to scratch took longer than expected and involved a whole, shiny, new kitchen. Fortunately, long hours don’t faze him – indeed, he sometimes struggles to take a step back. He’s lucky to have an excellent team behind him. Kate and Emma are local ladies and chef, Jordan, has a talent and dedication beyond his years. If Dave ever starts to feel stressed, he hears the buzz of conversation and people enjoying themselves and immediately relaxes. He clearly loves what he does – and it shows.

Glowing Recommendations

Always recommended on the various Facebook Mums’ and Gossip groups, visitors come from Bramhall, Didsbury, Wilmslow and more. It offers somewhere stylish but comfy and informal, with excellent coffee and superb freshly-cooked food. The board has new, and different, foodie offerings every week, and the regular menu has something for everyone – even a takeaway full English! Best sellers include ‘anything with bacon on it’ and the decadent Croque Manchester – a great big hunk of a ham and cheese toastie, topped with yet more melted cheese. The creamy garlic mushrooms are a hit, too. Chips have recently made an appearance. Dave always ensures there are clean and healthy choices, too. The only problem is making a decision…

The Board also offer private parties and outside catering – all to the same quality and with the same delicious variety. Dave will tailor a menu to individual requirements. He recently ran a barbecue, too – for Chrome Motors, flipping over 1000 burgers! It’s not just about the food, magnificent though that is. The Board offer a range of soft drinks, as well as a decent wine list and beer on draft as well as bottled. The Board can even bring a pop-up bar to outside events.

Dave loves Cheadle Hulme. He says

‘I can see exciting times ahead for Cheadle Hulme, with the developments and new bars in the pipeline, which should bring more people in. I was really happy when I Love Cheadle Hulme was set up. That can only help pull the businesses and community together and make people feel a little prouder of the area we live in’.

Everyone knows that I Love Cheadle Hulme loves The Board Cafe, too. Indeed, we may or may not refer to it as ‘the office’…The Board Cafe Bar

• T: 0161 485 3978
• E: [email protected]
• W: www.theboardcafebar.co.uk
• A: 51a Station Rd, SK8 7AA
• Twitter : @TheBoardCafeBar
• Facebook : The Board Cafe Bar

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