MK SNAP Café – A Hidden Gem

There is something undeniably magical about stepping into a café. A little slice of calm where you can retreat away from the hectic outside world, relax, indulge, and enjoy a little bit of time for yourself. MK SNAP Café ticks all of these boxes and more.

As you can imagine, it was an extremely arduous task for Hannah, our Digital Marketer, when she was sent to the MK SNAP Café to investigate and sample some of the tasty treats on offer!

MK SNAP (Special Needs Advancement Project) is a Milton Keynes Charity dedicated to leading a “programme of education, life skills, work preparation and opportunities for work for adults with learning disabilities, giving them the skills to realise their potential”. At Intrust Care, we have had clients attend MK SNAP and can say first-hand how fantastic and varied the programme is, and how much learners enjoy their time there.

The Café offers a chance to hone skills needed to work within the hospitality and catering industry while providing a vital income to the charity. Learners gain confidence and skills in the café by baking delicious treats, making barista-style drinks, waiting at tables, and taking payment for food and beverages.

When is MK SNAP Café open?

You can find MK Snap café at their centre in Walnut Tree. The address is: 20 Bourton Low, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes, MK7 7DE.

Doors open on Tuesday and Thursday from 09.30 – 12 pm. The café is accessible, with free parking, however, we did find the parking full when visiting on a Thursday at 11 am. The good news is that there is a large free car park at Walnut Tree Sports Ground, which is only a quick walk away.

What to expect from MK SNAP Café?

Mouth-watering treats, generous-sized drinks & smiles aplenty.

Upon entering the café I was struck by how light, airy and welcoming the atrium felt. There was a good number of chairs and tables, some of which also had a sofa.  A little apprehensive about taking my rambunctious two-year-old with me (meals in public can be hit and miss), I was pleasantly surprised to find ample room for a pushchair, with high chairs available also. Extra points here, as this is not always the case in local cafes!

The cakes on offer on the day we visited included Jaffa Loaf, Flapjack, Gooey Chocolate Brownie, Vegan Chocolate cake, and Vegan Biscoff cake. For those with a savoury preference, there were Marmite Sausage Rolls and a Soup of the Day.

Choosing a cake was not an easy decision but we eventually ordered the Vegan Biscoff Cake. I can honestly say that it was one of the most delicious vegan cakes I have ever eaten and the portion size was so generous that my cake-obsessed two-year-old and I, could share a portion and still feel completely satiated.

The luxury hot chocolates we ordered came with cream, marshmallows and a flake crumbled on top. Not only wonderfully creamy and chocolatey, the drinks were also a very good size. We paid £3 each and you would expect to pay a lot more in a high street coffee shop. Prices were extremely fair and on the whole, level with, or less than prices that you would generally pay elsewhere.

Ordering and Service

To order your food and drinks, you need to go to the counter at the far side of the atrium and one of the MK SNAP learners will take your order. There are MK SNAP staff members there assisting and supporting learners in the kitchen and at the service counter. Payment can be made by cash or card, and your order is then brought over to you at your table.

The customer service we experienced was fantastic. One of the learners who served at our table was Jack (who was happy to be named in this post). Jack was smiley, personable and very helpful. Jack’s service was extremely attentive, with him coming over to our table to check if I had been given one of their new loyalty cards. He then went off to get one and explained to me how the card works, with a free 10th drink when you have collected 9 stamps. Jack was a big hit with my two-year-old, who was more than happy to give him high fives when asked! His customer service exceeded plenty that I have experienced in other cafés and restaurants over the years, and he would truly be an absolute asset to any future employer.

Aside from the delicious food and drinks on offer, there was a selection of beautiful items for sale, which are some of the enterprise products that are handmade by the learners. I particularly loved the birdhouses and wreaths and there were some incredible pieces of art being photographed while we were there. There is no denying that some of the learners are extremely talented artists.

Would I recommend MK SNAP Café?

Absolutely and wholeheartedly.

The café is a little slice of calm, with delicious treats and fantastic customer service. I would encourage everyone to visit and enjoy this hidden gem, helping to support a truly remarkable charity in the process.

For more information on MK SNAP, you can visit their website or follow their Facebook page.