A popular café located in the heart of Peterlee’s thriving business community has appointed a new chef.
Natalie Lister has been brought in as the new head chef at Tray Café.
Bringing with her over 12 years of culinary experience, Natalie is responsible for the café’s extensive range of hot and cold dishes, which are all prepared freshly each day using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.
Natalie, 43, from Sunderland is supported by a front of house team headed up by Megan Larcombe.
Natalie, who has worked in restaurants and cafes in both Sunderland and Durham, said: “I am very passionate about producing good quality, fresh food that has that home-cooked taste that our customers love.
“We are also proud to say that the food we serve daily is made using only the very best locally sourced ingredients, which are sustainable too. That’s something that really matters to me.
“Although I came into the catering industry relatively late, at the age of 31, I have been lucky to work in some fantastic kitchens across the region and I am thoroughly enjoying bringing everything I have learned to my role at Tray Café.
“It’s a lovely place to work and in the few months that I have been here, I have seen our customer base consistently grow, as more and more people spread the word about the great food we serve.”
Tray Café is located at Traynor Business Park in Peterlee, which is owned by North East Commercial, headed up by directors Andy Rothwell and Brian Thompson.
Andy said: “Natalie has been a great addition to the Tray Café team and brings with her the passion and enthusiasm that we were looking for from our head chef.
“The café has built a reputation for the excellent hot and cold food we serve here, and Natalie is certainly helping boost that. We’re delighted to have someone with her experience on board.”