A NEW community cafe is opening its doors today (Monday, September 28) in Amesbury.

Evergreen Café at Kingsgate is run by Salisbury-based husband and wife duo, Brett and Rufaro Mavunga.

Brett, who is a former chef to the British Army, and Rufaro a qualified nutritionist, nursing assistant and cook, plan to create a healthy and contemporary twist to the menu.

Rufaro said: “Whilst you won’t find ‘fast food’ in the Evergreen Café, you will definitely be able to enjoy ‘quick food’, but with a very contemporary, home cooked, fresh and healthy appeal and at affordable prices. Above all we want to cook food that is really delicious.”

The community cafe will be open to the public seven days a week from 7.30am to 7.30pm and will also provide a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu for the 60 residents of the new Evergreen Court retirement complex.

Community is important to the couple, who won the Evergreen Cafe contract.

“We couldn’t believe it when we heard from Wiltshire Council that we’d won the contract,” said Rufaro, “But we have a big vision for this place. We have lived all over the UK and the Salisbury area is the best of all.

"It is family friendly, very smiley and very kind. We have been saddened by the trauma suffered by Salisbury and Amesbury in recent months, so this is a fresh start for Amesbury – a new cafe, a new meeting place, where people can relax and feel at home in the heart of the community.”

Brett has cooked all over the globe for the British army and the couple, who were born and raised in Zimbabwe, plan to bring an international flavour to the menu.

Brett said: “We’ll be introducing themed days and meals with Caribbean, Mexican and African overtones, as well as acknowledging important seasonal dishes around Easter and Christmas. We definitely want to add diversity to the menu and serve up something really fresh, exciting and a bit out of the ordinary.”

The couple are also planning to provide a corporate service and outside catering to businesses in the region - from a simple sandwich service, to full buffets for outside events, business lunches and conferences.

For more information call 07473 594760 or email visitingchef@hotmail.com