Hello Bishop's Stortford!

 It’s always really exciting when we open up a new shop - it makes us feel a little like we’re taking over the world with our remarkable food. On Friday last week we opened our new store in Bishop’s Stortford with a ribbon cutting from the wonderful Deputy Mayor, Councillor Janice Elliott (a long-time fan of COOK!) and plenty of celebratory bubbly.

Thank you to everyone who popped in to say hello and make us feel welcome in our new neighbourhood. We had an incredibly enjoyable opening weekend and hope that you'll return for more food and fun.

In celebration we've collected together some facts about the lovely town of Bishop’s Stortford, but we hope to discover many more weird and wonderful things during our time here! 

• Dick Whittington, three times Lord Mayor of London was Lord of the Manor of Thorley which is situated just outside Bishop’s Stortford. In the 19th century two of the town's most famous sons were born: Cecil Rhodes – the founder of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Walter Gilbey, better known as the founder of Gilbey’s Gin.
• Modern day inhabitants of Bishop’s Stortford include Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP and Greg James (Radio 1 presenter for anyone over the age of 40). It’s also in “Oliver” Country: Jamie Oliver’s parents run their pub in Clavering just outside Bishop’s Stortford.
• The actor/comedian Russell Brand went to nearby Hockerill Boarding School. The same school was awarded the accolade of Sunday Times International Baccalaureate school of the year award 2011.
• For those of you into anarcho punk, the band Flux of Pink Indians originated in Bishops Stortford.
• Lastly in 1900, during excavations on Potter Street in Bishop's Stortford, a tooth and tusk of a woolly mammoth were discovered..

 We're also offering a 15% discount in store for our first week - the perfect excuse to come try us out. Download your voucher here: bit.ly/T4BBIn

For more information about the Bishop's Stortford store: bit.ly/126Eso0