The RX-8

IN THE NEXT
ISSUE...
A little gem
in Bembridge
As independent retailers continue to
disappear off our high streets, it’s becoming
more and more difficult to find an oldfashioned
local deli, butcher or baker.
Shanklin, for instance, has lost all its
butchers, and the only remaining baker’s
shop recently closed. At least we still have
the local greengrocer. So isn’t Bembridge
fortunate to have such a great little deli on
its doorstep.
Jackie Seymour and her husband Denny - a
local crab and lobster fisherman operating
out of Bembridge Harbour – had been
looking for a small outlet to sell the fresh
shellfish that he caught daily throughout
the year. They were previously processing
their catch and selling it to the owners of
the deli, and when these people decided to
retire, the Seymours jumped at the chance
of buying the business, Food for Thought.
“It made good sense for us to have a retail
outlet for our crab and lobster business,”
said Jackie.
Since she and Denny took over 18 months
ago, the business has steadily expanded,
and the customer base is growing all the
time.
“I guess it’s the fact that we are a speciality
seafood delicatessen, and there aren’t
exactly many of them on the Island” she
said.
In addition to the seafood, the shop also
sells Jackie’s wholesome, home-cooked
specialities, from cakes and desserts, to
freezer meals – all without additives,
colourings, or preservatives. One of the
most popular lines are the homemade
sponge cakes, which fly out of the door the
minute they are baked.
Customers also love olives, which is why
Food for Thought has installed a large olive
bar. Jackie and Denny also scour the world
for suppliers of exotic continental meats
such as Parma Hams and many types of
Salamis.
Then there are the roast joints that Jackie
cooks herself, which appeal to customers
who live alone, because they can buy as
much or as little as they need.
“Because we are a small shop, we are always
looking for items that you cannot find
elsewhere like in the big supermarkets, that
special ingredient I suppose. For example
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we have just taken on
some mouth-watering
peppermint creams
from a UK company
that grow their own
peppermint. One of
the most unusual
items is probably the
pickled quails eggs,
and we find that fresh whelks and lump
fish caviar, also sell quite well”.
Jackie will also make up gift hampers for
any occasion. Customers can select the
products they want included in the hamper
and pay an additional charge of just £5.00 to
make it up. A similar package can be
prepared for picnics, using the customer’s
own selection of produce.
Another “speciality of the house” is the
range of seafood platters (lobsters, crab,
cockles, whelks etc), which cannot be
fresher since Denny has only caught them
that morning. Seafood platters start from
£12.00 per head.
To complement all this wonderful food,
there is also a wide choice of fine wines and
champagne from all over the world.
“We try to get different wines from the
usual ones you can find in an off-licence or
a supermarket” says Jackie. “I take the time
to research and discover new flavours and
textures. I think it’s
worth the effort, and
I know my customers
do”.
Jackie and Denny are
looking to expand in
the next year so there
may be a deli heading
your way soon,
(Shanklin, please!)
We could probably fill
several pages with
what they have in the
shop, but the best
thing is for you to
jump in the car and
pay them a visit,
you’ll find it’s well
worth it.
FOOD & DRINK
Food for Thought is open Monday
- Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm
4 High Street, Bembridge.
Tel: 01983 873555
29