“I thought it might be hard work, but I have been absolutely flat out and inundated with customers,” she said.
“I’m really excited – we’re showing people what you can do with plant-based foods.”
The café aims to appeal to a broad range of diets from people seeking lighter, healthier meals to those who desire more classic meals such as a burger and chips.
Ms Gordon said Rupanyup residents and travellers were eager to try vegan alternatives.
“We’ve got people in the community who might like big burgers and lots of fries – so we decided to target many different diets,” she said.
“We’ve had people come in who said they were initially unsure about the plant-based meals, but after trying they were surprised by how delicious their meals were.”
Ms Gordon has had a major career change, after previously working as a behavioural analyst.
She moved to Rupanyup in 2016 with her daughter Emma.
She said The Kindness Kitchen was a product of many years of planning.
“My daughter, who is 15 now, came up with the idea to call it The Kindness Kitchen because we don’t have any animal products at all, and our motto is about being kind to all beings,” she said.
“I also felt considering issues we’re facing around the world, and in particularly climate change, we could really do with a bit of a boost in the compassion department.”
Ms Gordon said she was eager to springboard off the Wimmera’s position as the food bowl of Victoria and source as much of her produce from within the region.
“I thought Rupanyup would be the perfect place to open a plant-based café given it’s the pulse capital,” she said.
– Dylan De Jong
The entire November 25, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire November 25, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
