B.R.E.W... definitely not just a café

GANGTOK, 26 Aug: “Brew is more than just a café,” says Tenzing Nyentsey, who, along with his wife Alpana, set up what they like to call, “A platform for people to explore and experiment”.
Located on the way to the DC Office, Brew opened its doors to Gangtokians on 05 August earlier this month. Steps put together with mud and bamboo lead you to a small garden next to which is a casually set up space for guests to lounge in. Bamboo dominates the theme of the décor which as the owners explain was an easy choice since there is a bamboo grove nearby. The choice, however, also manifests what BREW is about - making the best of available resources with the help of innovative ideas. All the furniture that makes up the place has been designed and created by BREW.
BREW draws its resources from Echostream, a multi-disciplinary design studio based here in Gangtok.
“The idea had been playing on our minds since last year,” says Tenzing, who is part of Echostream, on this effort to merge the design studio with providing a creative platform where people can use the resources of the studio to experiment and create. The café, he informs, is part of the concept and is more geared towards sustaining the whole initiative financially. “We are not really looking at making a whole lot of money”, quips Tenzing. The idea being more about people with shared interests coming together over a cup of coffee or waffles that the bakery has to offer. If something comes out of such collaboration that can be sold, it will be put on sale at BREW which stands for Bakery, Retail, Events, Workshop.
What also makes up the retail aspect is the idea to encourage people to reuse, recycle, reduce waste and replenish resources. On these lines, the duo is also planning to set up a flea market at the joint in the near future where old or discarded items could be re-sold.
BREW seeks to provide space for artists and social organisations to meet, interact and present their work. Exhibitions and workshops will therefore be a regular feature at the cafe which hosted its first event, Abbatoir - a photo exhibition by Sikkimese photographer, Tashi Norden on 05-06 August. This was followed by a 3-day workshop for kids from 18-20 August where they were taught how to make cookies and cakes, toy sculptures, drawing and painting, carpentry and soft toys. Sixteen children took part in this workshop which was especially appreciated by the parents.
“They wanted such workshops to be organised on a more regular basis and we definitely plan to hold more of such events in the future,” informs Alpana.
The open kitchen offers guests not just a peek but also an opportunity to try their hand at cooking or baking if they choose to. On the menu are pancakes, waffles, cheese buns, pasta, steak, etc. “Although most of these are available on all days we keep trying out new recipes which might not be on the menu,” informs Alpana highlighting that experimenting also extends to the open kitchen.
Speaking on the run-up to the formal opening, Alpana shares that it was all about ‘josh’ as things seemed to fall into place and all involved in setting up the joint were fired up and excited to get things done. However, she adds that it was more difficult than she had earlier thought. Cost-cutting led to some innovative ideas as glass or wood were replaced by bamboo, the old got revamped and waste reused.
Meanwhile, also on the cards, is the concept of BREW as an artists’ residency where artists from within and outside the country would be welcome. From their own vegetable patch, range of products, a community library and introduction of bruschetta on the menu, Alpana and Tenzing plan an interesting BREW of ideas … definitely not just a café.