Give In To Temptation At Cbd Cafe

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday November 22, 2006

KILMENY ADIE

Wollongong's Cafe Tempt is gaining a loyal clientele who relish the homemade sweet and savoury items on offer. As KILMENY ADIE reports, it's the perfect spot for a quick and refreshing lunchbreak.

Carefully lined up on their serving trays, Cafe Tempt's selection of handmade chocolates can not help but catch your eye in their glass-fronted cabinet.

The treats, at $1 each, have proved a major drawcard for people looking for something a little naughty to enjoy after their lunch or with coffee.

Owner Mel Waddell says she has made the chocolates for many years and, after opening the business with partner Steve Fripp, embraced the opportunity to sell them.

The chocolates complement the range of homemade food available on Cafe Tempt's menu. Since Waddell and Fripp opened the Crown St cafe six months ago, they have built a dedicated clientele who love their veggie burgers, meatloaf, sandwiches and cakes.

"Our emphasis is on homemade. Pretty much everything we do is homemade apart from a few banana breads we get in," Waddell says.

"We make our own lasagne, meatloaf, quiches, muffins, yoghurts and chocolates. The feedback we get is it's fresh, fast and good pricing.

"People can come in here for lunch and have a sandwich and a coffee for under $10, which they're crying out for up here because they're eating out every day for their lunchbreaks."

Prior to opening the cafe at the western end of Crown St, the two had worked in management roles at the Oasis Resort at Windang. They say they're enjoying the change of working Monday-Friday and from 8am-4pm, after the irregular hours they kept previously.

"We took on a venture of our own and it has been great. It's surprising how quickly the business has grown," Fripp says.

"We didn't think it would grow to this point, this quickly."

With six months trading under their belts, the two - who say they work well together because they always know what the other is thinking - are enjoying the day-to-day running of the enterprise. Particularly as they're able to achieve more each day.

"We're organised because we're not flat out the whole day so we start restocking and preparing for the next day around 2pm," Waddell says.

"We have noticed now, compared to when we first started, how much better organised we are and how much more we can achieve in the same period of time.

"If you get five minutes you think 'what can I get ready for tomorrow?'.

"That way, when we close up, it's a quick sweep, mop the floor and out the door," Fripp adds.

The lowdown

What: Cafe Tempt.

Where: Shop 1, 266-268 Crown St, Wollongong.

Phone: 4228 5330.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.

Owner: Mel Waddell.

Food: Homemade cafe-style meals and desserts.

Signature dish: Handmade chocolates.

Vegetarians: Yes, several options.

Coffee: Coffex.

Crowd: Corporate types.

Seating: 22 inside and four outside.

Wheelchair access: There are large steps at the entrance.

Payment: Cash.

Children: Welcome.

Takeaway and delivery: Yes, to both.

Parking: Take your chances on the street.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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