As scores of Newcastle United fans streamed onto the platform at Jesmond metro station heading for the Carabao Cup victory parade, a more tranquil scene was unfolding just around the corner. As part of Newcastle Piano Festival, Layla’s Kitchen hosted a two-day vegan pop-up café – Rest and Resonance – with Cracked Bean Roastery at Jesmond United Reformed Church.
Yasmin Sayed Ahmed, owner of Layla’s Kitchen, brought an array of colourful sandwiches and salads to the event. For Yasmin, nourishment for the body and caring for the planet are central to her cooking style, and she puts her innovative vegan stamp on all her traditional Egyptian and Middle Eastern dishes.
Yasmin, 42, is originally from Alexandria in Egypt. She has lived in Newcastle since 2007 and has two daughters, one from whom Layla’s Kitchen gets its name. She started out baking cupcakes when her daughters were small and has gradually expanded her range to fully embrace her cultural heritage and personal values.
The cauliflower and chickpea salad is an explosion of flavour. Spiced with ras al hanout and fresh coriander, it is accompanied by perfectly roasted cherry tomatoes and quinoa. Every ingredient is wholesome, with no compromise on flavour. The sandwich menu meanwhile boasts accompaniments such as homemade Palestinian Za’atar and pesto.
One by one, local piano students – some as young as eight – performed their choice of music. The espresso machine hissed as the Cracked Bean team poured carefully crafted lattes – with plant-based milk choices to complement the food.
“I really love the Konafa,” said Yasmin when asked to choose her favourite treat on the menu. “It’s a dessert made with Middle Eastern crunchy vermicelli, almonds, pistachios and a vegan creme patisserie.” The date and cinnamon bars are also to die for – a perfect composition, just like the music.
The Newcastle Piano Festival was organised by Semibreve CIC and featured live piano performances across three days, with the aim of making music accessible to people of all backgrounds. You can find Layla’s Kitchen and Cracked Bean Roastery at Jesmond Food Market on the first and third Saturday of each month.
