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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.<\/p>\n
Once you walk in and enjoy the unique d\u00e9cor, you can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Inspired by her mother, Carol-Anne Squier, who founded the caf\u00e9, Gabriella believes in the beauty of things that can be tasted in the food she serves. \u201cThe lessons my mom has taught me reach far beyond a personal level \u2013 her home was always a beautiful space, filled with baked goods, beautiful flowers, and an extra seat at the table \u2013 even if the chairs did not fit \u2018Niks is ooit te veel moeite nie, as ons iets doen \u2013 doen ons dit mooi, met liefde dat dit spesiaal is\u2019 and those were the words that built our brand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leading from the examples set by her parents, she says that seeing the joy that the food industry brings to others is priceless. \u201cIt 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 \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she shares a slice of her heart with Bloem she can\u2019t help but reminisce the day she opened the now-relocated Koekela Huiskafee at 17 Reid Street in Westdene. \u201cIt was a cold day in May 2010\u2026 I can still remember the small coffee machine we had back then, it could only make one cup at a time \u2013 and back then, we did a happy dance with every cup going to a guest \u2013 it has been a journey with many, many ups and some downs, a lot of protection and blessings beyond measure.\u201d<\/p>\n
For her the lesson here is that \u201cyou can\u2019t 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!!!\u201d<\/p>\n
Apart from having each room in the main house decorated differently, the d\u00e9cor 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.\u00a0This feeds into her recipe for success. \u201cI believe it to be that I am involved personally \u2013 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\u2019s recipes are the true carriers of success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koekela is undeniably part of Bloem\u2019s 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.\u00a0\u201cIt is a place that inspires others to be who they truly are \u2013 \u201cTe veel van \u2018n goeie ding is FANTASTIES\u201d. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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So if you are looking for something that tastes like Bloem? Gabrielle recommends \u201cDie Bobotie Pie\u201d which has recently had a makeover and is now available as a lovely Bobotie savoury cheesecake \u201cIt is a must try! It is new on our menu and the feedback is good,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
She closes off by thanking the friends of Koekela for their years of support. \u201cThank 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 \u2013 serving each cup of coffee or sharing a story with a guest remains an honour \u2013 thank you Koekela friends for helping us to open our doors daily with faith and joy to serve you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Text and photography: GYPSEENIA LION <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 caf\u00e9 but has given the owner, Gabrielle du Plooy, a home where she can live out her love food. She believes that Koekela Huiskafee […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":12920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,20],"tags":[2743,5216,5214,5212,5215,5213],"class_list":{"0":"post-12918","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-personalities","9":"tag-bloem","10":"tag-carol-anne-squier","11":"tag-gabrielle-du-plooy","12":"tag-koekela","13":"tag-koekela-huiskafee","14":"tag-sharing-a-slice-of-her-heart-with-bloem"},"yoast_head":"\n