Coffee shop is perfect place for slimmers

Jan 18 2013 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

Owners of an Irvine coffee shop renowned for its vast selection of cakes have introduced low-calorie alternatives to some of their menu to meet the demand of slimming customers.

Harbourside favourite Small Talk has a reputation for serving some of the finest home baking in the town.

But this month owners Alison McKenzie and Anne Ritchie decided that it was time to introduce some low-calorie alternatives for regular customers who were watching their waistlines after the Christmas festivities.

So they set about creating low-fat, low-calorie soups, pasta dishes to help the slimming customers.

And it is something all the staff are benefiting from the new menu too.

Both Alison and Anne are keep-fit enthusiasts and every staff member is tucking into the new dishes including carrot and ginger soup, 375 calorie spicy chicken pasta and a range of 300 calorie baked potatoes.

“We get to know a lot of our customers and a few had mentioned they were trying to lose some weight, we are too so we thought it would be great to introduce some new dishes,” said Alison.

Anne went on: “We came up with some soups, pasta and baked potato toppings and of course, regulars all love our low fat cinnamon bagel too.

“Our plan is to bring new dishes in every week to offer the slimmers a lot of variety.”

Alison went on: “All our staff watch what we eat and this is great for us too. It’s a new year and everyone is trying to be healthy, after all, if you have a healthy lunch, you could always have a treat of a cake.”

Small Talk have shared their recipe for Coronation Chicken Pasta Salad with Irvine Herald readers.

“It’s really easy to make and you only need a small amount to feel full up,” said Anne.

“We all love it and hope readers do too.”