http://www.mwaah.co.uk/women-work/ladypreneurs/self-catering#sigProGalleriaebce27f5c8
I was born in Harlow but have lived in Stortford since I was 9 so think of myself as a Stortford girl,
explains Sue. Married to Luke in 1993, we opened The Lemon Tree 14 years ago shortly after the birth of our son Harry; daughter Elise followed in 1997 and then Maia 3 years ago.
Our young family has prohibited me from working at the restaurant in a full-time front of house capacity, so I enrolled with the Open University to fill my evenings and fulfil a long ambition to gain a degree. I amnow overjoyed to have been awarded a first class BA (Hons) in Humanities with Classical Studies and will attend my graduation in April.
Juggling family, study and work is both tricky and rewarding. A typical day includes seeing the teenagers out of the door followed by the nursery run. Then I meet clients, suppliers and staff as well as wine tasting, solving IT issues, managing the accounts and advertising.
I switch into Mummy mode after lunch when I collect Maia and do the grocery shopping, visit the park, walk the dog or meet up with other Mums and toddlers. Teatime is organised chaos as I chauffeur the teenagers about and see to their needs. Once Maia is in bed it’s paper work, accounts or study time. A late night glass of wine with Luke (The Lemon Tree's Head Chef) rounds off the day before we do it all again!
I work a service in the restaurant once or twice a week and the comments and appreciation shown by customers really makes our hectic lifestyle worthwhile. To know we are creating an experience that people enjoy so much gives a tremendous buzz.
Sue and Luke's mission for the Lemon Tree is threefold: To create the best quality, affordable menus using fine local ingredients; to offer exquisite fine dining as a destination restaurant; and to create the opportunity for customers to gain insights into their expertise in food and wine. To that end they have introduced a Monday events diary that includes food demonstrations with Luke, then wine-tasting events, cake demonstrations and artist exhibitions, all featuring local independent specialists - linking and networking with the local community and businesses is key to surviving in the current climate,
says Sue.
Regular set menus, Ladies Nights (2 courses £12.50 on a Thursday- highly recommended ladies!), a trainee Sommelier and a flourishing outside catering facility all contribute to the Lemon Tree's organic growth.
A further ingredient in Sue's recipe for a busy life is her unswerving commitment to supporting charities such as Isabel Hospice (fashion shows are hosted in the restaurant).
So, with the Fishpool 2011 diary already bulging at the seams, what nuggets of advice would this plate spinner extraordinaire impart to those whose lives sometimes seem a mad blur?
Understand that you can't have your cake and eat it, so don't beat yourself up! Make time for each aspect of your life whether it is family time, work time, social time or down time and stick to it despite everything. Most important, if your children want to talk- stop everything and listen, because that's the most precious time of all.
The Lemon Tree, 14-16 Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2JZ For restaurant bookings call: 01279 757 788 and for Outside Catering: 07889 366 577. For info email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. >
