Young Writers Society

The Yellow Hen Cafe definitely has a cheerful atmosphere. If you're feeling down, I guarantee a visit to the family-owned business will drown out all your sorrows.

The building is a converted barn, its wooden slabs painted a dull-yellow with metal bumblebees scattered here and there. The window frames are painted bright yellow, with delicate lace curtains hanging from them. The door itself isn't even a door- just a security gate that closes during the night. But in the day, when the cafe is open, there's nothing separating the world outside with that within. All are welcome at the Yellow Hen, even the occasional sparrows who fly inside and settle on the plate of crumbs that’s kept by the entrance, next to the doggy bowl.

If you saw the floor, you'd notice it's a beautiful grey slate, but it’s hard to notice with all the round white tables upon it. There are matching chairs, but they are spread around the room in no real order. Guests are encouraged to drag and pull chairs to suit their needs- a table for ten is just as well catered for as a table for one.

Everyone gets a free slice of bread or a shortbread biscuit upon their arrival. There is no expectation of purchase. The friendly staff believe that the smiles produced are reward enough. Though if you should feel so inclined, you may drop any spare change in the honey jar at the counter. All donations go to keeping the farm behind the cafe running. They grow all their own food when possible, and anything else is purchased from local producers. The people of the Yellow Hen Cafe love supporting their community, and you'll always see their smiling chicken on the boards at local events.

When you walk towards the back of the barn, you'll see the collection of chooks (including roosters, hens and chicks) on the counter. There are porcelain, knitted, wooden and glass chickens- every kind you can imagine. Each day people are giving the business more to add to the display.

Behind the counter is a chalkboard that expands over the whole back wall. Between the drawings and humourous quotes you'll see the food menu. There's something for everyone (though the cafe keeps to a vegetarian theme), from pasties to quiches and soups to pasta. You must always stay for dessert too. The cake displays are by far the Yellow Hen's pride and joy. Each cupcake or slice is topped with a little paper hen, which always brings a smile to the children's faces. Coffee is served with their famous shortbread, and the iced-chocolates are known for the plethora of shaved chocolate on top.

Without a doubt, the Yellow Hen Cafe serves the yummiest food in the region. Though, honestly, I think people go there just to see the staff. The front-room workers, in their checkered yellow aprons, are always cheerful. If you need advice, they're always helpful, and if you need a joke- well, even if you don't need it, they'll always have you laughing by the time you're ready to leave. The cooks and bakers out the back can be seen waving at you through the yellow arch, tempting all with the aromas of whatever delight they're baking.

I make sure to visit the Yellow Hen every week, and if I can't make it, I'll send my kids off to buy me a pumpkin-pasty. It will always come back in a yellow-paper bag, with a kind note from the people there, saying they wish me all the best in my week, and that they're looking forward to seeing me the next.