Taste Coffee Shop, on Well Hall Parade in Eltham, is our match day provider of hot drinks, homemade cakes, sweet and savoury pastries, and sandwiches. Partnering with local businesses is very important to us, and owner Kate Druzkowska and her team really are part of the Club family, with players and supporters regularly popping in to the coffee shop before training and games, always receiving a very warm welcome.
We caught up with Kate last week, and asked where her passion for hospitality came from. This is what she said.
COFFEE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT IS IN THE CUP
From the coffee plantations of Costa Rica to the heart of Sicily, and now to Eltham, Taste Coffee Shop is a story rooted in family, heritage and a life-long love of coffee.
Established in 2020, Taste was born from my love for my Italian roots and my desire to share a little piece of my heritage with our local community.
My connection to coffee began with my dad, who owned a coffee plantation in Costa Rica. The coffee travelled to my hometown in Sicily, where he sold it in his bakery in Palermo, bringing together two places that will always hold a special place in my heart. Although we are no longer in Costa Rica, the estate remains within our family, cared for by local farmers and cherished as a lasting part of my dad’s legacy.
Growing up with these traditions shaped my belief that coffee is about so much more than what is in the cup. Inspired by the Italian tradition of savouring a good espresso alongside something delicious, I wanted to create a place where people could slow down, connect and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Today, we serve our signature blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee, alongside homemade cakes and treats, including gluten-free and vegan options. Our menu also celebrates authentic Italian flavours, delicious breakfasts and lunches made with local Kent produce. Above all, Taste is a little home away from home, where good coffee and genuine Italian hospitality bring people together.
CAMARADERIE, COMMITMENT AND SHARED PASSION
Family, tradition and togetherness are at the heart of everything we do, which is why supporting Blackheath Rugby felt like such a natural fit. We believe that some of life’s greatest pleasures come from the connections we create and the communities we share. These same values are reflected in rugby, where camaraderie, commitment and a shared passion bring people together, both on and off the pitch.
We are proud to support Blackheath Rugby, being an organisation that embodies the community spirit we hold so dear.
For me, Taste will always be a tribute to my dad, my Italian heritage and my family’s story- shared with our wonderful community, one cup at a time.
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