insideKENT Magazine Issue 40 - July 2015 | Page 59

FOOD+DRINK

Dining at Café Nucleus

BY GEMMA DUNN

An oasis of calm in the heart of Chatham, the award-winning Nucleus Arts
Centre has many tricks up its sleeve – and, it seems, providing a mouth-watering
Champagne afternoon tea in its onsite café is undeniably one of its best.

Founded by the Halpern Charitable Foundation,
set up by the late Hilary Halpern, Nucleus Arts
is a cultural and creative organisation of sorts.
Today, its four locations collectively host up to
50 uber-talented resident studio artists; galleries
– with onsite cafés – in Chatham, Rochester and
Maidstone; an educational programme by the
name of Art Inclusive; and a budding music
agenda, born from its free arts festival – the
Nucleus ArtsFest. As if that isn't enough to keep
the pioneering folk behind Nucleus busy, the
community-driven foundation also supports
homes for people with mental health problems
in Medway, as well as the Chatham Memorial
Synagogue.
In this instance, the aforementioned Champagne
afternoon tea was to be enjoyed in the fully
licensed café bar within the Nucleus Arts Centre,
Chatham. Set back from the bustling high street,
this flagship location boasts a contemporary
dining space inside, and for those sunnier climes,
al fresco seating in the Mediterranean-esque
courtyard.
Operating under its 'arts for all' principle, visitors
can admire the local artwork displayed in the
gallery and on the café walls; see the resident
artists at work in the studios; and, if the date
permits, enjoy one of Café Nucleus' small, regular
exhibitions. However, its commitment to offering
an 'experience' doesn't stop there.

Traversing into its menus, from field, boat, herd
or flock, Café Nucleus works with its suppliers
– local and further afield – to ensure it delivers
the very best produce from traceable origins.
And bucking that trend was my chilled flute of
fizz. Exclusive to Café Nucleus, Wafflart-Briet
from Sacy, near Reims – a Premier cru and firstpress variety – was exceptional and, in my opinion,
is the only way to kick off an afternoon tea here!
A selection of finger sandwiches – mature cheddar
and caramelised red onion; cucumber; ham and
English mustard; and Scottish smoked salmon
and cream cheese – made up one of three
delicious tiers, while the remaining two were
stocked with warm, homemade scones, Cornish
clotted cream and Tiptree strawberry preserve;
plus a delectable selection of macaroons and
petit fours direct from Brittany, France.
With every element as delicious as the next, Café
Nucleus' is fervent in its bid to acknowledge
provenance and sustainability and, refreshingly,
it's attentive team and extended locations share
that same value.
And while each of its four locations may portray
different personalities in line with its local
community and artists, each has the same aim
in common: to help promote the arts in Kent and
the South East – a philosophy that's supported
by Nucleus' own profit.
Vital for both innovation and regeneration, every
developing town needs a space like the Nucleus

59

Arts Centre. An inspiring haven for creative and
non-creatives alike to come together, this artistic
hub has taken Halpern's dream and run with it.
And long may his legacy continue.

Nucleus Arts Centre
272 High Street
Chatham
ME4 4BP
www.cafenucleus.co.uk
@cafenucleus
/cafenucleus

WIN!
Fit for a queen (or even a king for that matter...),
Café Nucleus is giving you the chance to win
Champagne tea for two within the Nucleus
Arts Centre, High Street Chatham! Tuck into
delicious, quintessential finger sandwiches;
sweet, locally baked scones with Cornish
clotted cream and Tiptree strawberry preserve;
and a selection of macaroons and petit fours
from Brittany, France.
To be in with a chance of winning, enter
at www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk/win by
5pm on Friday 31st July 2015. Terms and
conditions: Must be booked in advance on
01634 406971. Champagne for over 18s only.