05.06.26
Shropshire Food Done Properly
At Kadai, our Best of British series is all about celebrating the producers, makers and food businesses that champion quality ingredients, traditional skills and a strong sense of place.
This month, we're staying close to home and heading to the woodlands of Coalbrookdale, just a short walk from Ironbridge High Street, to shine a light on two businesses that embody many of the values we hold dear: Embers Café and the newly opened Baked Bean. Built around a shared appreciation for local produce, craftsmanship and food made with care, they are a fitting addition to our Best of British series.
Fire, Flavour and Local Produce at Embers
Nestled within the Greenwood Centre site, Embers Café has become a destination for those seeking thoughtful food inspired by live fire cooking. Describing itself as serving accessible fire-cooked café food, Embers specialises in sandwiches, small plates, coffee and cakes, all influenced by the distinctive flavours and techniques that come from cooking with fire.
What makes Embers particularly special is its commitment to supporting local producers. As the team themselves explain:
"We are uber passionate about the produce and producers of Shropshire, so wherever possible we use local ingredients and suppliers to complete the offerings across our food and drinks menus."
It's an ethos that resonates strongly with us at Kadai. Great food starts with great ingredients, and there is something rewarding about seeing local produce celebrated by people who genuinely care about where it comes from.
Behind Embers is Adam Purnell, better known to many as Shropshire Lad. Since launching the Shropshire Lad brand in 2017, Adam has built a reputation for championing outdoor cooking, quality British ingredients and the simple pleasure of cooking over fire. What began as a passion for live fire cooking has grown into a nationally recognised name within the barbecue community, while remaining firmly rooted in Shropshire.
Sharing a Passion for Live Fire Cooking
Adam has been a long-standing friend of Kadai and a passionate advocate for live fire cooking for many years. From cooking demonstrations and events to collaborations and competitions, we've shared a belief that cooking over fire brings people together in a way few other methods can.
That passion is evident throughout Embers. Alongside the café, the team runs regular live fire cooking experiences, including dedicated Kadai Firebowl masterclasses where guests can learn how to cook confidently over charcoal, wood and embers. This year they also ran their brand new 'Embers Fire Festival' celebrating fire, food and music.
Whether it's mastering heat control, exploring different cooking techniques or simply understanding how to get the best from a firebowl, these classes offer a hands-on introduction to the kind of cooking that sits at the heart of everything we do.
NEW IN EVENTS
Embers Fire Festival
All new for 2026
Embers Fire Festival is a Shropshire event where fire, food and music come together over a full weekend in Ironbridge. Created by Adam Purnell, known as Shropshire Lad, and the team behind Embers Café.
READ
Introducing Baked Bean
The latest addition to the Embers family is Baked Bean, a bakery bringing together proper coffee, freshly baked bread and an ever-changing selection of baked treats.
Like Embers, Baked Bean places a strong emphasis on British ingredients and supporting local suppliers wherever possible. It's a simple philosophy, but one that helps strengthen the connection between producers, makers and the communities they serve.
In an age where many traditional skills are becoming harder to find, it's encouraging to see businesses continuing to invest in the craft of baking. Good bread takes time, care and experience, much like cooking over fire. There is a shared appreciation for process, patience and quality that runs through both crafts.
The result is a bakery that feels firmly connected to its surroundings, celebrating local ingredients while helping to keep traditional bakery skills alive for future generations.
Why Businesses Like These Matter
What ties Embers and Baked Bean together is more than great food. It's a commitment to quality ingredients, craftsmanship and supporting local producers.
From fire-cooked sandwiches and carefully sourced ingredients to freshly baked loaves and expertly brewed coffee, everything is rooted in the belief that quality matters.
As we continue our Best of British journey, these are exactly the kinds of businesses we love to celebrate. Businesses that champion their local area, support fellow producers and create food with real care and character.
If you find yourself in Ironbridge, it's well worth making the short journey through the trees to visit Embers and Baked Bean. You'll find great food, great people and a genuine passion for British produce at its best.
