Key Points
- ‘70% Filipino and 30% Western’: crispy pata, bagnet and kwek-kwek are the bestsellers in their venture, Soul Food Fusion House Café & Resto.
- Initial capital poured in by the Lim couple was $50,000 which they saved from joining food markets.
- Despite being located in Regional Victoria, competition is tough in the food industry.
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'Crispy pata, bagnet at kwek-kwek patok sa lahat ng lahi’: Pinoy restaurant owner sa regional Victoria
SBS Filipino
09/04/202411:01
For almost two decades, Chef Antonio Lim has had his fair share of contributing to the restaurant industry as an employee.
However, Lim couldn’t resist the desire to put up a restaurant that he can call his own.
With backing from his wife, Yzabel, they pooled in their funds and raised $50,000 as initial investment for their restaurant and café business in 2021.
Diverse offerings are part of a strategy
Part of the Chef Antonio’s strategic decision was to include diverse dishes in the menu for his 120- seating capacity restaurant in Bendigo, Regional Victoria.
His offerings are Filipino comfort food and Aussie staples. These include crispy pata, bagnet, coconut barramundi, hamburgers and, fish and chips . Even ‘Pinoy’ street food like barbecue and kwek-kwek are bestsellers among regular and new patrons.
The menu is 70% Filipino and 30% is Western. Multiculturalism is something we want to promote in our business.Chef Antonio Lim, Restaurant owner
Team work at its finest
In setting up the business, all the paper work falls under the scope of Yzabel’s responsibilities and everything in between.
“Whenever I’m needed, I’m there. I’m the video editor and I manage the social media platforms. I also design and create the menu.
“Sometimes, I need to help out in the kitchen. Or when someone is sick, I take over instantly.
It took a while before I got used to the pressure. I was so emotional whenever people shout (in the kitchen).Yzabel Lim, Restaurant co-owner
“But now, I realised that it’s driven by everyone’s commitment to deliver a good job."
When asked, what advice to give those who are keen on starting their business, the Lim couple sums it up in these points:
· Don’t be fearful – just get a head start and don’t give in to being idle.
· Be passionate about your goal – Try not to waste the capital and other investments you put in to fund your business by giving up easily.
· Always have a vision – revisit this every so often and recalibrate, if needed.
· Look for a mentor- be humble enough to learn from people who can guide you.
And lastly, “Enjoy the process. It may be hard every single day but learn from the experience."
For now, the Lim couple is propelled to establish a foothold in the restaurant and café industry in Regional Victoria. The potential to franchise their business is an avenue they want to explore, in the future.
