Our homies at Home Slice Cafe are one of three winning cafes in the Battle of the Beans coffee competition.
Home Slice Cafe, based at The Old Mushroom Farm, Howick was crowned one of the best coffee establishments in the Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands region. The competition is centred around the art of making coffee and “the perfect cappuccino”. Judges were sent out on the “great cappuccino hunt” to find the best, and reward coffee shops in the Greater Durban area, North Coast, South Coast, Pietermaritzburg and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Bravo, Sandy and the Home Slice baristas!
The Battle of the Beans defined a coffee shop as a venue where you can order coffee but food isn’t the main focus. This includes cafes with eat-in menus, but not mainstream restaurants. The cafes were also judged on their ethos. Each coffee shop must have an espresso machine (check!) and an active barista (check!) and shouldn’t be part of a franchise (check!).
We love that the broader coffee community aligns with the values we hold close at The Old Mushroom Farm- supporting the independent artisans who are passionate about honing their craft. In this case, it's the art of brewing great coffee- and this is testament to Home Slice Cafe being top of the league.
Sandy Chowles, owner of Home Slice Café spoke to The Witness newspaper last week, reflecting that the recognition for her coffee shop was “a wonderful affirmation” of what she and her staff have worked hard for. Home Slice Cafe opened at The Old Mushroom Farm over four years ago now and it is wonderful to watch them soar. They have expanded from a half- tunnel to a full tunnel, upgraded their kitchen and seating, hired more staff, are continuously refining their offering and always have time for a hearty chuckle.
Chowles said her goal in establishing a café was to create a place where people could unwind and enjoy good food and coffee in “a unique location”. She said the shop being based in a more remote area, at the Old Mushroom farm along the Karkloof Road, made the recognition all the more welcome. Folks come ‘out of their way’ to come to Home Slice.
The Battle of the Beans Competition sees the importance of coffee shops being tied to having affordable community spaces. “While many restaurants did not survive Covid, most coffee shops did simply because coffee entrepreneurs have the passion to conquer the daily grind! They kept the industry and the spirit of cafe society alive and well, providing spaces for everyone to meet, make friends, work and enjoy a bean brew.” Sandy added in her chat to The Witness that she enjoys observing how strangers become friends and how customers explore the café’s offerings.
Sandy reflects how building a café culture in KZN requires people to develop an understanding of café culture. “It’s so fulfilling to see people come back regularly and truly feel at home”. Home Slice Cafe is just that, a friendly space of comradery where you feel safe to ask the barista, “what’s a cortado again?”. There are always good laughs to be had with the Homies.
So, one more congratulations to the Home Slice Cafe team for being one of the best coffee shops in the KZN Midlands. Home Slice Cafe strikes the perfect balance between excellence and warmth, coziness and drive. The next time you’re in Howick and surrounds, come out to The Old Mushroom Farm and try their award winning coffee for yourself- it's well worth the 10 minute drive.
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