LOCATIONAbbotsford
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAChef and owner Mardi Edwards has ruled the roost here at Busy Oven Cookery for some eight years now. Originally serving as a commercial kitchen, where Mardi supplied a variety of foods (mostly cakes) to her family’s cafe on Brunswick Street, for the past five years she has been doing the cooking for her own cafe. Breakfasts are big here, both in popularity and size, so much so that it’s available all day on weekends. Choose to sit outside warmed by the morning sun, or avoid the Johnston and Nicholson Street traffic by sitting indoors on comfy chairs, the sound of cars drowned out by the smooth jazz and hum of the fridges.
Start your day with the Busy muesli blend; free range eggs poached or fried served with sourdough toast; or fresh baked sweet or savoury muffins, such as plum and cinnamon, still warm from the oven. A specials board which Mardi “may change on a whim” offers tempters such as an antipasto platter; chilli con carne with rice; potato, caramelised onion and thyme frittata; or a selection of sandwiches on sourdough. If something sweet is your fancy expect offerings such as the lemon tart or chocolate brownies. Busy Oven Cookery is fully licensed and BYO with $2 corkage per bottle.
Veda Wickens, February 2007
