For thirteen years a love and passion for food has not only opened doors for locals to enjoy a freshly baked slice of cake on the stoep of a local café but has given the owner, Gabrielle du Plooy, a home where she can live out her love food.
She believes that Koekela Huiskafee is a destination restaurant in the heart of Bloem that has created space for patrons that feel like a home away from home.
Once you walk in and enjoy the unique décor, you can’t help but feel nostalgic for somewhere you have been before. While wandering through memory lane, you can feast on tasty South African meals served with a Koekela twist, she says.
Inspired by her mother, Carol-Anne Squier, who founded the café, Gabriella believes in the beauty of things that can be tasted in the food she serves. “The lessons my mom has taught me reach far beyond a personal level – her home was always a beautiful space, filled with baked goods, beautiful flowers, and an extra seat at the table – even if the chairs did not fit ‘Niks is ooit te veel moeite nie, as ons iets doen – doen ons dit mooi, met liefde dat dit spesiaal is’ and those were the words that built our brand.”
Leading from the examples set by her parents, she says that seeing the joy that the food industry brings to others is priceless. “It is what I know and what I love. I think it started where most stories start when I was young watching my parents cook or bake – sharing a meal as a family or with friends. I have many fond memories of my dad preparing a whole fillet, mom making lovely side dishes and my brothers and their friends feasting away, our home was a place where friends would come to enjoy great food.”
As she shares a slice of her heart with Bloem she can’t help but reminisce the day she opened the now-relocated Koekela Huiskafee at 17 Reid Street in Westdene. “It was a cold day in May 2010… I can still remember the small coffee machine we had back then, it could only make one cup at a time – and back then, we did a happy dance with every cup going to a guest – it has been a journey with many, many ups and some downs, a lot of protection and blessings beyond measure.”
For her the lesson here is that “you can’t wait till you have everything you need and for the ideal circumstances before you start. Bake the cake, ask for feedback, have a teachable spirit, and adapt, adapt, adapt to change!!!”
Apart from having each room in the main house decorated differently, the décor gives an eclectic and playful feel. Guests are served with special crockery that brings that bit of charm to dining out, giving it a personal touch. This feeds into her recipe for success. “I believe it to be that I am involved personally – paying attention to detail, consistency, offering quality, and being involved in the daily management of the restaurant, the catering side, and the intimate functions we host. I want every guest to truly experience our Koekela heart and that entails being involved in every aspect of my business. Apologising when needed, learning from mistakes, and operating in an attitude of grace rather than perfection. Always try our best and then, of course, mom’s recipes are the true carriers of success.”
Koekela is undeniably part of Bloem’s charm because of the homey feeling, a warm aroma of fresh confectionery lingers throughout the house, a place where guests become friends and friends become family. A place where you are known by name and which teacup or coffee mug is your favorite to be served in. “It is a place that inspires others to be who they truly are – “Te veel van ‘n goeie ding is FANTASTIES”. And to live a life where cake crumbs of hope and joy can be left behind is an absolute honour. As I grow older I become more me, because of Koekela and the space it creates to interact and learn from others, I get to live out my passion and share it with the public.”
So if you are looking for something that tastes like Bloem? Gabrielle recommends “Die Bobotie Pie” which has recently had a makeover and is now available as a lovely Bobotie savoury cheesecake “It is a must try! It is new on our menu and the feedback is good,” she says.
She closes off by thanking the friends of Koekela for their years of support. “Thank you for loving us, thank you for supporting us, for sharing advice, for celebrating your highs at our restaurant, and for allowing us to be part of your special days – serving each cup of coffee or sharing a story with a guest remains an honour – thank you Koekela friends for helping us to open our doors daily with faith and joy to serve you.”
Text and photography: GYPSEENIA LION
