Chatford & Co

What’s an ex-pastry chef from Rockpool doing starting a small cafe in Kalamunda? In Gavin Chater’s case, it was all about enjoying a slower pace of life. In 2015, he started a successful restaurant at the Roleystone Club (a bowls and country club), but he had to vacate in December. So when he opened Chatford & Co in August 2016, loyal customers followed.

It seems the loyalty goes both ways, with Chater’s shopping basket filled with local suppliers. His honey comes from a Roleystone window cleaner he met at the country club; an old Italian couple in Orange Grove supply the olive oil; and meat is sourced from Sebastian’s in Kalamunda. The Woodfired Baker in Maylands supplies the bread and the coffee is from Five Senses (the mocha marshmallow served with each cuppa, however, is house-made).

The all-day menu changes regularly according to what Chater finds at the local farmers’ market, and growers in the Gascoyne region. One week there might be house-smoked salmon and mussels with beetroot and croutons. The next it might have swapped out for spicy cornbread with poached egg, avocado and chorizo. Bacon-and-egg doughnuts with maple syrup are a permanent fixture; ditto the brioche French toast.

Cakes and pastries are understandably a feature, including tarts, towering cakes and cream-filled doughnuts.

Dinner is served on Fridays and Saturdays, with BYO and free corkage a tick for affordability.