After opening restaurants at five-star resorts around the world and working as a chef for the Governor of Queensland it might seem a bit strange to open a chocolate and ice cream cafe in little old Lochinvar.
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But that’s exactly what Edwin Rosenkranz did, and it’s one of the best things he’s ever done.
“I was a bit of a gypsy, but I’m settled now,” he said.
“We’ve just had our year anniversary and I’ve never been happier in my life.
But, we must add, Edwin’s business – True Cafe and Chocolate – isn’t your standard sweet shop.
He makes all of the ice cream, chocolates and even the pies from scratch himself.
Edwin has always made ice cream, saying it’s something he’s “quite passionate and interested in”, but started making chocolates to sell in the vineyards a few years ago after working at the Golden Door Elysia and the renowned Nine Restaurant in Pokolbin.
He was making the chocolates from home, but the business became too big so he decided to open a shop front.
And to keep the customers happy through winter, he added steak pies to the menu, which are now his biggest seller.
Edwin said that immediate customer response was one of the benefits of running his own cafe rather than working in fancy restaurants.
“When I see people taste the ice cream and they say ‘s—- that’s good’, it’s very rewarding,” he said.
“I don’t want to shoot anyone down, but a lot of gelato places use pre-mixes.
“We just use fruit, and we also use the local Udder Farm milk and cream.
“A lot of love goes into it.”
That love was recognised at this year’s Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards, where True Cafe and Chocolate was highly commended in the New Start Business category.
Edwin said he really wants the cafe to be a “community neighbourhood place”.
He runs locals nights every three weeks with different themes.
“It’s got a great vibe,” he said.
“I’ve been in the area 10 years. When I first came here I knew two people, now I know 102.”