Since relocating just over a year ago, chefs Sean Marshall and Kristina Jensen have made their mark on Perth’s hospitality scene. Following their successful transformation (and sale) of Cambridge Corner Store in Wembley, the couple have opened a new Scandi brunch spot, Elske, in Fremantle.

The cafe, which officially opened last month, is inspired by Jensen’s Danish heritage. The menu is filled with smorrebrod and traditional Scandinavian flavours, which means a whole lot of seafood with refreshing accents of citrus and dill.

“Kristina is a pastry chef, and I’ve covered every scenario from running kitchens to being a head chef over the years. We regularly make smorrebrod at home and love them, so included them on the menu,” Marshall tells Broadsheet.

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The couple’s culinary journey together began in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics, where they both worked at Peter Gilmore’s Quay. After cooking their way around the world, they settled in Marshall’s native New Zealand before eventually relocating their family to Perth.

“After Cambridge Corner Store, we discovered this Freo space which had a larger kitchen and great bones. We’re still exploring Perth’s different neighbourhoods and Fremantle reminds us of Wellington, which we adore,” says Marshall.

Elske was the name of a patisserie Jensen opened in Wellington, and they’ve reused it for their new venture.

“We like the word, and its meaning is ‘with love’, so we dusted it off and worked with our branding team in New Zealand to bring it back to life,” Marshall explains.

Housed in the historic Manning Buildings in the High Street Mall, the new space underwent a quick transformation with the couple making DIY upgrades including tiling and painting to create a minimalist, uncluttered look.

Elske’s brunch menu is available until midday with dishes including smoked mackerel kedgeree with crème fraîche, a soft-boiled egg, tamarind, and curry leaves, as well as a Scandi breakfast plate with gravlax (cured salmon), Swiss cheese, tomatoes, cucumber pickles, a soft-boiled egg, and Danish rye. Breakfast favourites such as brioche French toast and crushed avocado are also served with a Scandinavian twist.

“At the moment, we can’t keep up with the hash brown benny orders and the Scandi breakfast plate has also become popular since opening,” Marshall says. “We’re also looking at adding to the smorrebrod menu with a pickled herring or meatball version. The plan is to always adjust the menu as we go.”

The menus are complemented by a selection of fresh cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, indulgent soft-serve thickshakes, and coffee from Fremantle’s Grand Central coffee roasters. Pending liquor licence approval, Elske plans to expand its menu to include dinner as well.

Elske
Shop 28, 135 High Street, Fremantle
9336 7638

Hours:
Daily 7am–3pm

www.elskefremantle.com
@elskefremantle