A new fast casual concept pops up in South Kensington
Squirrel, a new all day fast casual concept which will offer a range of healthy and freshly prepared food and drink, has opened its first store in South
Kensington.
The new store is a joint venture founded by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, of Inception Group, marketeer Anneke Gilkes and nutritional therapist, Zoe Stirling.
Co-founder, Charlie Gilkes said: ''Especially since turning thirty, both Duncan and I have wanted to eat more healthily but have found most 'health concepts’ rather intimidating and a bit like visiting the doctors! We feel there is a gaping hole in the market for somewhere accessible and fun that also doesn't substitute health for good taste'.'
Co-founder Zoe Stirling said: “For a long time I have wanted somewhere I can recommend to my clients where I know they will always be able to eat healthily, and also not be constrained by pre-prepared meals. My ambition was to create somewhere where I could be completely confident that each ingredient was full of nutritional benefit.”
Every dish on the brand menu is freshly prepared to order and any ingredients can be substituted to cater to all tastes and dietary requirements. There is even the option to create their own unique dish, choosing from all the fresh ingredients on display.
Squirrel’s staff are trained in basic nutrition advising customers on which food or drink should be consumed to support their goals, for example, increased energy levels or recovery after a gym session.
Each day food is freshly prepared in the onsite kitchen, to fulfill a menu which has been carefully curated by Squirrel’s Nutritionist Zoe Stirling (Lomax/ Akasha Wellbeing) and Creative Chef Consultant Dara Sutin (Jamie Oliver/ Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop). The food offering features four bespoke house salads, four hot and hearty grain bowls, two seasonal options that is nutritionally balanced and contains a number of foraged ingredients, alongside wholesome soups and stews which will change weekly. All food served is available to eat-in, or takeaway in bespoke acorn vessels. Guests that eat-in will sit inside a tree-house overlooking the treetops whilst listening to an upbeat soundtrack.
The morning menu includes poached egg breakfast pots, chunky avocado toast, as well as warming porridge pots, and organic yoghurts with numerous toppings. Hanging bird feeders contain selections of nuts, seeds, fruit and roasted beans which can be decanted into a take way box.
Matcha lattes, hot tonics and a selection of teas are served from Squirrel’s ‘Fallen Oak’ coffee station which also offers fair-trade Allpress coffees, including dairy-free options. Cold drinks, such as homemade seasonal water infusions and iced teas are available from Squirrel’s bespoke re-fillable ‘Drinking Well’. Other chilled drink options include cold pressed juices, kombucha and fresh coconuts.
Squirrel works closely with suppliers, sourcing seasonal, high quality produce that comes directly from small farms, giving their customers complete transparency as to how and where their food is produced. Squirrel is also committed to using ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables that don’t otherwise make it onto the supermarket shelf as much as possible to reduce wastage in the food supply process. In this vein they also use recyclable and fully compostable packaging where viable.
The instore experience consist of vibrant interiors, playful in design with a tree lined walkway and service counter carved from a twenty-one foot long, fallen oak tree. Lights are housed in hanging acorns and guests can dine in a timber clad tree-house, made from as much reclaimed wood as possible, and be seated at large picnic style tables.
