Keeping it in the family
T
ogether with 47 years combined experience in the
hospitality industry, Jayne Webber and Andy Croll are
the mother and daughter team behind Dee-Licious Family
Delicatessen in Atherton. Jayne has over 28 years in many
food and beverage roles and Andy has been a chef for
15 years and together they make the perfect business
combination.
Just over two years ago, they purchased Dee-Licious to
facilitate their move to the Tablelands from Cairns. They had
been visiting friends on the Tablelands and fell in love with
the climate and lifestyle. At the same time Jayne spotted an
advert offering the business for sale. The timing was perfect –
having recently been made redundant from her job – so she
took the opportunity and hasn't looked back. In her words "it
was just meant to be!".
Both have a love of cooking and that shows with the
delicious homemade food on offer. Jayne comments, "I
actually wanted to be a chef when I was at school, but was
talked out of it, yet I still ended up in hospitality". With Jayne's
natural cooking ability, Andy's interest in food piqued at an
early age and she went onto to become a qualified chef.
Sometimes working with family can be tricky, but these two
have a very positive relationship and constantly bounce
off each other all day. They're very much in tune with each
other, so much so that if one starts a dish and is called away
the other can step in and finish. Knowing each other so well,
they can read each other easily which takes a lot of angst out
of workplace communication. They joke that they are very
much like "The Cook and The Chef" on the ABC.
Whilst they don't have a signature dish, the homemade
quiche and the delectable cannoli are the most popular
items on the menu. Everyday offers a daily special like their
yummy rice paper rolls. Fridays are Jayne's favourite days
when they mix it up and offer something different like
pork belly or lamb shanks. Andy loves the catering aspect
of the business where customers' requests are varied and
challenging. "We offer catering services for weddings,
birthdays, work functions, openings and our anti-pasto
platters are very popular" says Andy.
When asked about what she loves the most about Dee-
Licious Jayne says, "That's easy...my customers! We have
lots of loyal regulars many of whom bring food and recipes
to swap and share, and even jars. Many comment that it's
a welcoming cafe that feels a bit like calling into our home
which is just lovely. We want everyone to walk out having
had a good experience."
As with anyone in the hospitality industry, they put in long
hours often starting at 4 or 5am each morning, but they
wouldn't change a thing. They do extra cooking for their
customers who have no time to cook too! We all know that
life is busy, but help is at hand with their homemade pastas,
soups and sauces for you to take home and impress your
family – makes meal times easy. Don't forget to get some
cannoli for dessert!
So next time you are in Atherton and feeling a little peckish,
drop by and see the girls at Dee-Licious at 1/25 Mabel Street
open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4pm and on Saturdays
7.30am to noon.
2018 Tableland Hardware
Tinaroo Barra Bash
FRIDAY 31ST
&
REEF HOTEL
CASINO
ATHERTON
SUNDAY 2ND
RAVENSHOE
CAIRNS
CONVENTION
CENTRE
1ST
SATURDAY
MALANDA
CAIRNS
ESPLANADE
21-23 September 2018
N BY ANGRYMAN
ILLUSTRATIO
A Catch and Release family fishing
tournament. Check their website for
more details and nominations
www.tinaroobarrabash.com.au
2 What’s On & Where To Go September 2018
HY
PHOTOGRAP
18
2ND SEPT 20
31ST AUG -
com.au
a.
rg
ta
w.
ww
GUIDE
SPECTATOR
Download the Targa
Great Barrier Reef
Spectator Guide at
www.targa.com.au
for route and road
closures on the
Tablelands for 1st
and 2nd September.