The MK Café That’s Really Changing the Game…

If you haven’t already heard of ‘The Gamechanger Kitchen’ in Giffard Park, I’d be surprised. This gem of a café has recently undergone a fairly substantial expansion – and for good reason; TGK was crowned as the ‘Best Coffee Business/Café’ at the prestigious MK Food and Leisure Awards this year.

I am lucky enough to live just a stone’s throw away from this incredible café which means I have seen first-hand the huge transformation it has gone through over the past year.

A little bit on the owner, Alessandra: having been forced out of a 9-5 job in 2018 and ending up working the odd shift in her father’s coffee shop, Alessandra’s passion for health-conscious but tasty food and drink started to take off. Taking over the café inside ‘Fitness First’ in November 2019 seemed like a great move, until lockdown meant the café was no longer viable. But, after an awful lot of saving, Alessandra bought a trailer serving coffee and cake in 2021 before – after 6 long months – the original Gamechanger was founded.

I visited the café when it was in its first stages of development and it was evident that it was going to be a huge success. Soon the first unit became too small for the large amounts of footfall and so it expanded into the unit next door, which is more than double the size. Still now, even with the volume of extra space, be prepared to queue – but know it’s worth the wait! It’s amazing to see Alessandra’s dream become reality and (although it may not help my purse or my waistline!) The Gamechanger is most definitely a special place.

Opening from 8.30am-3pm every weekday (and slightly later at 9am on a weekend) makes TGK an ideal place to head for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Everything at the café is made fresh and in-house daily – including a huge selection of freshly baked and incredibly delicious sweet treats which will catch your eye as soon as you step through the door.

The menu changes seasonally, but some of the highlights for me have to include the array of fresh smoothies, super-stacked pancakes and – probably my personal favourite – the sweetcorn fritters.

As a mum of two – or three, if you count the café – Alessandra has always maintained a focus on a child-centred establishment. In fact, the new unit is even home to a small soft-play area, which is a hugely successful part of the expanded Gamechanger. There is also a vast selection of child-friendly food and drink, cutlery and plenty of highchairs. But don’t worry…The Gamechanger also has an alcohol licence, so children aren’t the only focus!

The new unit has also been the home to pop-up events, such as their ever-popular Dessert Nights and an amazing collaboration with local Personal Chef Aaron Johnson (@chefhathome_) and Amateur Mixologist Lewis Stairs (@sundaycocktailclub).

As Alessandra herself states, TGK doesn’t serve up fast food, but fresh food. It’s fair to say, The Gamechanger Kitchen absolutely deserves it’s title as ‘The Best Café’ in Milton Keynes so, if you haven’t already been, it should be the next place on your list.

Keep up to date with The Gamechanger Kitchen on Instagram: @thegamechangerkitchen

You can visit The Gamechanger Kitchen at: Unit 5, Knebworth Gate, Giffard Park, Milton Keynes, MK14 5QD

Book upcoming events, such as Ladies Night on December 3^rd, here: https://www.thegamechangerkitchen.com/collections/events