MEET THE CHEF: Mark Tutton is cooking up success at Shoreditch White in Taunton

You have to have the courage of your convictions and the courage to try and succeed.

In setting up your own business, you not only faced success or failure but which ever one appears you still have to put your money or money borrowed from a bank on the line as well-it is a risk.

One of those who has spent 30 years in the catering industry is Mark Tutton who along with his wife Sally runs and owns Shoreditch White in Corporation Street in Taunton.

Mark has been working in the hospitality arena since he was 16 years old when he was employed as a concierge at an hotel in Oxford.

This is where he learnt to meet and greet people, carry their bag to the rooms, and be at the sharp end of hospitality.

Lessons he learnt from these early days helped set him on his business path such as smiling at people, greeting them and saying goodbye when they left.

The couple set up Shoreditch White in 2014 and opened it at its present location one year ago.

Mark said: “Our main focus in the mornings is corporate clients in Blackbrook, Bridgwater and all round Taunton.

“This is what we do in the morning making sure we make and deliver quality buffet food for these business and then in the afternoon (from lunchtime onwards) provide good service and quality food to everyone else.

“I have been in the catering business for 30 years and I can’t get out of it (he laughed).

“What I have been able to do through this business is create a life style which means I can turn the lights out and close the doors at 3pm and then come back in the morning and deal with all the orders which have been sent in by email.

“Being able to go home at this time does take some of the stress away from running your own business.”

Mark began on his Independent business road 10 years ago when he opened up a delicatessen called Scrumpers in Somerton.

This business was then moved to Taunton before being sold and this new business Shoreditch White was born.

The coffee shop on its website (shoreditchwhite.com) states: “Shoreditch White is an independent and locally owned coffee shop aiming to bring a bit of modern café culture to Taunton Somerset, whilst also offering local business and customers a quality outside catering and buffet delivery service.

“We serve Brazier coffee and a fresh, locally sourced brunch & sandwich menu for eating in or takeaway, and there is always an impressive cake selection baked in-house to accompany your brew.”

The coffee beans are ground and blended by Brazier Coffee in Wellington which means they are buying locally ground coffee.

This ‘local produce’ is important for Mark as as much of the produce as possible is sourced and bought locally for the coffee shop.

The menu includes:

- Black pudding, chorizo & bacon hash topped with a poached egg

- Welsh rarebit with streaky bacon and roasted tomatoes

- Beetroot & Walnut Crusted Goats Cheese Salad

- Bacon/sausage sandwich n Rueben Sandwich, pulled pork,Sauerkraut, Swiss cheese

- Poached eggs on toast which can have added avocado or added smoked salmon Warm Ciabattas

- Falafel, hummus & sweet chili sauce

- Tuna Melt – Cheddar, gherkins & sweet chili sauce

- Roasted vegetables & goats cheese

- Brie, bacon & chutney n Serrano ham, mozzarella & sun blushed tomatoes Sandwiches – on a choice of seeded wholemeal, white or ciabatta Indian chicken

- Chicken, bacon & avocado n Ham, Tomato & Dijon Mayo

- Chorizo, cheddar & coleslaw n Cheddar ploughmans

- Avocado, tomato & mozzarella n Crayfish Cocktail The interior decor of Shoreditch White has a contemporary ‘industrial look’ which light brown wooden tables, a breakfast bar style area and wooden barrels all topped off with the odour of freshly made coffee.

Mark said: “I knew what we are doing here would work due to market research.

“I have always trusted my gut instinct “We like to use the ingredients to build up the flavours.

“We want to offer our customers something different but we want to make sure we give them quality.

“We like seeing all our regular and new customers and like seeing them happy after eating and drinking.

“Our reputation is built on and enhanced by the orders which we deal with every day and these are growing.

“Consistency in getting it right every day.

Shoreditch White in Corporation Street in Taunton is open Monday - Friday 8am-3 pm and on Saturdays 9am -3 pm.

As well as delivering luncheons and buffets to business it also caters for private events and parties designing bespoke menus to suit the clients.

Further details online at shoreditchwhite.com or call 01823 279977.