Artezen

We are happy to introduce another of our Competition Partners;  Ryan Haigh of Artezen Café who is generously contributing a superb Saturday morning breakfast for two including glass of bubbles,  main breakfast and coffee for our Winter Weekend Escape.  The lucky winner will also enjoy two nights accommodation at the very centrally located, contemporary and elegantly styled Bluewater Bungalow;   welcome drinks & nibble plate at Blue Manna on Friday night;   a luxe infra red sauna at Tama Wellness; and a pamper session at Beauty By The Bay.

The centrally located Artezen Café has long been renowned as one of Dunsborough’s premier foodie destinations  whether for a hearty breakfast,  leisurely lunch or convenient coffee to go; it is a favourite to meet with family and friends.  On a sunny morning the alfresco dining space bordered by greenery and shaded by expansive umbrellas is always a beacon.

One of our favourite Cafés, we absolutely love Ryan’s vision:

“Our focus is on providing a relaxed, friendly meeting place in which to enjoy the best food and drinks prepared with dedication and served with a smile.  From coffee to cocktails, muffins to mains, everything we serve is prepared to the highest standards by chefs, baristas and bartenders with a passion for the best and latest in the world of food.”

Other dimensions to the business include being fully licensed;  art showcases,  fundraising & private function options; and full take away option for any & every item on the menu.

We’d love to introduce you to Ryan the current curator of the café experience and hear his story.

What do you love most about the business and why?

The thing I love most about the business is the people that I have gotten to know over the years.  The business is about being hospitable so getting to know people and spending time with them, taking time to make them comfortable and feel special what it is really about.  I always tell the staff we are not here to make their coffee or their breakfast, we are here to make their day!  Of course high quality food and beverage is important, but it is making people feel special that I enjoy the most and I suppose we do that with the food as well.

Who / what has been your greatest inspiration on your cooking / restauranteur journey?

My inspiration has come from all of the great chefs that I have worked with over the 31 years I’ve been in the industry, but working with Jamie Oliver and Ben O’Donoghue was the turning point for my career.  They taught me to really love what I do and that sent me on a path to leave London and move to Italy to work and learn.  The Italians really know hospitality, when you walk into a restaurant over there you are king or at least that’s how they make you feel.

What are your favourites on the current menu and why?

I’ve got 2 favourites on the menu at the moment.  On the breakfast menu would be the humble Smashed Avo Toast.  That isn’t my dish it is from our head chef Jason Davenport. Like most things we do it is basic breakfast food, but executed by an experienced chef, Jason has it with a miso sesame puree, cucumber ribbons and shaved raddish in a soy & mirin dressing, with poached eggs and some red mizuna.  So it is a far more complex dish than just avo on toast but perfectly balanced.  On the lunch menu would be a winter favourite Pappardelle with 6hr Beef Ragu, that one is mine and made like I learnt to make when I was working in Tuscany, also a simple dish but made with love and a perfect lunch on a winters day with a glass of Rosabrook Reserve Cab Sav.

For all things Artezen follow them on socials @artezencafe