THE SOUP DRAGON

CREATIVITY IN THE KITCHEN

Café owner Stephen Smith took over The Soup Dragon café in 2016 fresh from managing the café at Nottingham’s Art Exchange.

His time in the creative realm has certainly left a lasting impression, evident in his passion for unusual flavours and adventurous culinary creations like parsnip, peanut and lemon soup.

Stephen said: “We love using lesser-known ingredients, so you’ll find homemade kimchi on our menu alongside family favourites such as macaroni cheese.”

Emphasising the café’s commitment to freshness and quality, he added: “All our dishes, from our delicious home baking and sourdough breads to our warming soups, are made fresh on site from scratch.”

FIRE IN THE BELLY

Stephen is passionate about ethics and caring for the environment, carefully selecting all his ingredients and sourcing local products and materials wherever possible – a tree felled in the garden has been made into new shelves for the café, for example.

The café has recently introduced a community allotment space, inviting local groups to grow their own vegetables and herbs alongside supplies for the café.

Stephen explained, “We’re focused on sourcing ingredients locally, ensuring our menu stays fresh and seasonal – and you can’t get more local than the back garden.

“We offer around 50 different soups year-round, reflecting the changing flavours of each season.”

Emphasising the environmental benefits of this approach, Stephen said: “Supporting local producers helps reduce our carbon footprint and promotes sustainability.

“We also make an effort to compost all our waste, enriching our growing spaces in the process.”

Wild foods also feature heavily on the menu, no surprise given the café’s key role in the Scottish Wild Food Festival held annually at Tir na nog.

COMMUNITY GUARDIANS

Supporting the local community is also a top priority for the Soup Dragon team.

Every week, Stephen lends a hand to Start Up Stirling’s lunch club in Buchlyvie, offering a tasty array of sandwiches and soup. He also provides complimentary meals for Movement in Thyme’s volunteers, aiding their efforts with refugees and marginalised groups.

There are also plans in motion for a series of outdoor community events from BBQs and workshops to late-night gatherings and art trails.

Stephen said, “We’re fortunate to be nestled in such picturesque surroundings and are eager to encourage customers to linger longer, whether it’s enjoying a leisurely stroll through the woods or exploring the art gallery.”