Welcome to Cookery Nook!
Mercy Community’s supported employment program has been providing opportunities for people with disabilities since the 1970s – and it’s also one of Brisbane’s most successful catering services and cafes.
At Cookery Nook, we offer more than just employment; we provide comprehensive training to develop kitchen skills and foster personal growth within a commercial setting.
Our goal is to support our team in achieving their aspirations, whether in hospitality or beyond – and now we’re on the lookout for more staff!
Belinda Thomas, 32, has been with Cookery Nook for 10 years and recently moved from the commercial kitchen at Nudgee to our café, at Lutheran Services’ Alondra Residences, in Nundah.
We sat down with her to find out more about a career with Cookery Nook…
What’s life like as a Cookery Nook café attendant?
It’s great! I get to do a bit of everything – food preparation, coffee making, operating the till and serving customers.
What do you love about the job?
The people, it’s about seeing all the residents. I have my favourite customers, ‘the regulars’ as we call them, and I’m getting used to knowing them and having their order ready before they even say it half the time.
What motivated you to get involved with Cookery Nook?
I knew someone who worked in Cookery Nook before I even knew there was a job vacancy. People were retiring at the time, so I stepped in as a volunteer when they were getting ready to leave. I started washing dishes at first and then they got me doing sandwiches and the prepping of fruit and veg and rolling biscuits.
Did you have any previous kitchen experience?
No, I was volunteering for Lifeline before Cookery Nook. I have always loved cooking and made up my own recipes at home.
You don’t need any experience to apply for a job at Cookery Nook, but an interest in cooking is good.
Favourite recipe to cook?
Mostly I make the sandwiches but if I get time on a Monday, I make the cupcakes.
Our most popular sandwich is ham, cheese and tomato, and toasted is the more preferred option in the café. I don’t eat it because I’m a vegetarian.
Lately we are serving a lot of soups because it’s colder. They get cooked back at the kitchen in Nudgee. So far we’ve done leek and potato and pumpkin.
Favourite coffee order?
I don’t actually drink coffee, but I do like chai latte and hot chocolate. For customers I like making the cappuccinos or the mochas.
What are your colleagues like?
Friendly, outgoing, and most of them do extra activities outside of work. It is a social and supportive team.
What’s next for you?
I love animals so I’m leaning towards becoming a veterinary assistant. I’m doing a course online at the moment. The course is 12 months and I’m halfway through.
I have already experienced a lot of loss over animals so I know the potential toll it will take to do the job.
Cookery Nook is supporting me with that. If you decide to take a different direction or branch out in other employment or a different career they are great with that.
“ I have my favourite customers, ‘the regulars’ as we call them, and I’m getting used to knowing them and having their order ready before they even say it half the time.”
What’s next for Cookery Nook?
I think we need more Cookery Nook cafes, so I’m hoping we expand to other parts of the country. It’s not just Brisbane alone that has disabilities, all over Australia needs help disability wise.
What would you say to someone considering a career with Cookery Nook?
If they want to help people with disabilities, then yes, this is great and recommended for them so they can improve their work motto.
You can improve your skills and customer service with Cookery Nook because there is great on the job training.
Be prepared to get stuck in with everything, but it is also rewarding, especially when we get complements from customers about the food and service that we do.
Be enthusiastic and apply for the job!
Work with us !
Whether you’re interested in participating, collaborating, or contributing, we welcome your involvement in creating inclusive communities.
For more information on how to get involved, contact us at 07 3267 9029 or fill out the enquiry form below.
