Tracey Hayes and Michele Guiver Tahunanui Beach

from 3 June 2020

Rory Medcalf and Andy Pettitt

New Stoke café fulfils lifelong dream

For local chef Blair Marsh, owning his own café is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. “I have wanted to be a chef since I was about 7 years old,” says Blair. “So, my Mum helped me start cooking and started teaching me things and it all went from there. When I left high school, I trained as a chef and 10 years later, I’m doing it!” Blair’s wife Jolene says as soon as she knew what her hus band wanted to do, she signed up at NMIT for barista training. It’s been about a month since Blair and his wife Jolene opened their new business, ‘Vili’s Breakfast and Brunch Café’ and the cou ple are thrilled with the amount of local support they have been getting. “The previous owner Jeff Lepa had a small boutique café and I wanted to put own twist on it,” says Blair. “So, I bought the pie warmer for home-made pies and cheese rolls and I also wanted to change up the menu. Our Buttermilk Fried Chicken has really taken off and I enjoy introduc ing new dishes like ‘Thai Beef Salad.’ Jolene says the sup

port from locals has been brilliant, especially in the mornings. “Our ‘Eggs Benedict’ is very popular and so is our barista-made coffee.” Jolene and team member Bekka Coleman are both barista trained so the coffee is exceptionally good! Located in Strawbridge Square, Vili’s Breakfast and Brunch Café has distinctive black signage outside and inside it’s warm, cosy, and bright. After completing his chef ’s training in Dunedin, Blair was head chef at Armadillo’s in Richmond, then the opportunity to own Vili’s came up. “Jeff wanted Vili’s to go to the right person and he also wanted to help me fulfil my dream.” Blair lives by the motto ‘Buy local.’ “So, we use Oakland’s Milk, we support Good Pops, we use Fresh Bake breads, I go to New World for my chicken and steaks – we are always thinking of the locals.” Vili’s is also the only stockist in Nelson for Halo Beans. “It’s an ‘awesome brand everyone is raving about.” Blair says Halo Beans are supplied by ‘Coke’ which

son or are just passing through, do pop into Vili’s to enjoy a lovely breakfast,

The Point of Sale Company

made steak and cheese pies and fabulous bacon, egg and spinach pies. These are only $5 each and are available as a takeaway. And do try Vili’s cheese rolls, New Zealand’s best cheese roll recipe. These are a steal at only $4.50 each! Come into Vili’s for your morning coffee fix and do try their amazing Buttermilk Fried Chicken eggs benny. They also have a lovey tomato and herb soup with bread which is superb on a cold winter’s day. Vili’s also offer smashed avo, cheese and date scones, gluten free brownies and much more. The new owners of Vili’s Breakfast and Brunch Café, Jolene and Blair Marsh, are delighted with the support they are receiving from local customers since they opened in a month ago. L to R: Bekka Colelman, Jolene, Blair. Located at 14/530 Main Road Stoke, Vili’s has fantastic parking because it’s right in Strawbridge Square. To find out more, visit Vili’s Breakfast + Brunch Café on helps to “look after the business; morning tea, brunch or lunch in Facebook and Instagram. “Catch they supply equipment, and proa cosy café setting where you will ya at Vili’s!” vide free Barista training, etc.” receive warm, friendly service Vili’s is open Monday to Friday: Jolene says it’s great to see chiland enjoy delicious food. You 7am to 3pm. Saturday: 8am to dren popping into their café afwill love Blair’s very own home2pm. Sunday: Closed. ter school. “We do iced coffees, smoothies, hot chocolates. Good pops are locally-made and vegan, with flavours like choc mint, mango, pineapple and coconut and black doris plum.” Whether you live in Nel