Hazel Gordon of FINDS with Michelle Stevens, the Storehouse.

The Storehouse, a farm shop and restaurant set on the shores of the Cromarty Firth near Dingwall, was established a little over four years ago. Having set up the business with two friends, Quintin Stevens then met his wife Michelle and they now own the business between them, having bought out the other partners when Michelle returned to the area after a period in London’s finance sector.

To source ingredients and product for their daily customers, Quintin and Michelle have a range of around 80 suppliers. As much produce as possible is sourced from the local area, with specialist foods being brought in from further afield.

Michelle takes up the story: “The whole background to the business is about promotion of local produce and it’s great to see that the range available locally is expanding all the time. For example, we are now able to source lots of great cheeses and cured meats from this area that weren’t available even just a few years ago. Winning the ‘Best Use of Local Food Award’ at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards in 2008 has actually helped us to find new suppliers, as producers became more aware of what we were looking for, and the fact that we’d be happy to work with small amounts. As our restaurant menu changes every day, incorporating seasonal produce is part of its attraction.”

Michelle continued: “The Best Use of Local Food Award was given for our commitment throughout the business: the focus on local produce is not confined to the shop – we also use it in our home-baking and the restaurant kitchen as much as possible. Quintin and I are both from farming families and our rural contacts have helped to contribute to the wide network of suppliers for our business. It helps too that The Storehouse is open all year round – farmers and small producers are able to sell produce through our shop on an ongoing basis, and are not limited to market times. 

The Storehouse attracts a wide variety of local custom, including those using it as a meeting place to others making a pit-stop on the road north, as well as day visitors from the east coast looking for an appetising lunch before returning home. Michelle explains some of the attractions for customers: “As well as offering a tasty menu using local produce where possible, we also cater for a wide range of specialist dietary requirements such as vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. We have one little girl who comes here with her family regularly because they know we cater for her allergies and she is able to order food from the same menu as the others.  We do grow some of our own vegetables on the family farm, rear our own sheep and even the fresh flowers on the restaurant tables are grown in our own (or our mothers’!) garden.  The Storehouse is known for its family atmosphere and pleasant surroundings – and we’re delighted that it provides another amenity for the local community.

Lately we’ve extended the business by acquiring The Dores Inn on the shores of Loch Ness. Its been a great opportunity for us to introduce new customers to our business and the value of fresh, local produce.

Winning the Award last year has been beneficial for The Storehouse in many ways. Michelle explains: “While it is the essence of our business, it is hard work dealing with over 80 suppliers to guarantee fresh produce and ingredients on a daily basis. The Award was a real pat on the back for everyone in the team, giving well deserved recognition for all their efforts. It also raised our profile and gave us an opportunity to thank our customers for the part they played – they played a vital part in helping us to win it!”

Website: www.thestorehouseathome.com