Panda Van owner to take over world food café

Wednesday 22 November 2017

The lady behind the Pink Panda Van, Emily Walker, is setting down some roots. She is set to take over Flavour, a world food café opposite Liberation Station, early next year and will be keeping regulars' favourites on the menu, as well as her trademark Bao buns.

Elke Jacques, the owner of Flavour, will be staying at the helm until she closes down on 15 December as she has to move to London for a few months.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: "So, as some of you already know I have to move to London for several months next year as my daughter requires a kidney transplant - hence the many needed closures for hospital visits - I have therefore made the decision to fold Flavour so that I can focus fully on what is most important! It is with some sadness for sure as I love what I do and what together, myself, my loyal and dedicated staff and of course you guys have helped to create. It’s been a dream come true, it’s been bloody hard work, it’s been fun and it’s definitely been emotional but, what a fantastic journey it’s been. Who knows what the Flavour future holds, something for sure but in which form I have yet to decide."

Ms Jacques started her Flavour adventure seven years ago with a soup bar in the market. She then moved to a kiosk at Noirmont and started selling her soups in the Co-op in 2013. In February, she would have celebrated three years at the Esplanade location.

Pictured: The Flavour kitchen will continue to whip up world food under the direction of Emily Walker.

Emily Walker has promised she won't be "rocking the boat too much." She is keeping Flavour's current chefs, Hitomi and Mark, and will keep the premises pretty much the same, apart from "a little bit of a refit." As for the menu, it will be the best of both worlds with some of Flavour's signature dishes - Scotch Eggs, Chana, Katsu, Tomato Jam and others - and the Panda Van's specialities, including Bao buns and the Saucy Panda range.

Ms Walker explained: "I have always been a very big fan of Elke and Flavour. When I was still working in the corporate world - before I started this catering nonsense! -  I used to visit Flavour three times a week. I love her food. I want the chefs to stay on because they are great in the kitchen. Flavour is Elke's baby, she put everything in the café and she is having to move on. I think she wanted to find someone who would respect that. Many of the things she does I love them myself and we sort of have the same customers, so I wouldn't be going in Flavour and turn it on its head completely."

One change that Ms Pink Panda Van will make is the name, although she hasn't quite decided on one just yet. "Some say it should be the Pink Panda but I have other brands such as Saucy Panda for my sauces, Panda Pots or Private Panda. It could be Café Panda, Panda Land, I am still deciding on it. Panda will definitely be in it though! I might run a competition to help me decide!"

After a difficult summer - the original Pink Panda Van was written off in June - Ms Walker says she felt the time was right to lay down roots: "This summer was challenging. It was a tough time to get the new van up and running and when it was, the main season was coming to an end. We found ourselves, through no fault of our own but because the weather was horrible, attending events where there were not many people." 

Pictured: The original Pink Panda Van had to be replaced after it was written off in June.

Ms Walker also admits that it was a combination of uncertainty and opportunity that led her to take over Flavour. She explains: "Having a van is a gamble a lot of time which I have always been prepared to take. I wasn't feeling for a permanent place. If it wasn't Flavour, I wouldn't have been interested. I have a connection with the place and I wouldn't' have looked at any other café. I think the time is right, it is the right size and we have a similar style. It is a good fit. The decision was made really quickly."

The Flavour take over is not marking the end of the Pink Panda Van's adventures, which started two-and-a-half years ago. It will continue to make appearances at events and will still be available for private bookings when Ms Walker makes the move to permanent premises.

Pictured: Ms Walker will continue to take out her Pink Panda Van to events next year. (Steve Lund)