A Hungarian delicacy that’s crispy on the outside and soft and spongy on the inside is leaving its mark on the Sunshine Coast dessert scene.
The owner of Mooloolaba’s newest cafe is inviting people to be more adventurous with food with his unique and delicious offerings.
Opening Chimney Cakes and Cafe has been the vision of Hungarian native Tibor Hegedus since he moved to Australia 10 years ago.
“Being able to showcase and promote Hungarian food feels amazing,” he said.
“It feels good to be open, it has been a long time in the making.
“Australians are not really adventurous when it comes to food, they can prefer to choose whatever they know.
“So, I thought that the easiest way to introduce new food is to do something that looks eye-catching. Then once we’ve reached customer satisfaction, it’s easier to communicate the other products.”
The menu offers traditional Hungarian delicacies such as freshly baked sweet or savoury cone-shaped pastries called chimneys as well as langos, which Mr Hegedus described as deep-fried pizza. There is also chimney hotdogs, coffee and desserts on offer.
The chimney cones come in different flavours, with or without ice cream and trimmings, which include an extensive selection of fruits, sauces and extras like marshmallows and nuts.
“The main product that we advertise is the sweet chimney, filled with ice cream, toppings and then decorated with fresh edible flowers. It’s pretty appealing,” he said.
“Everybody’s so happy with them and surprisingly they come in because they either like the shop fit-out or they were just curious.
“The savoury chimneys, with things like bacon and cheese, are also becoming popular. It’s been steady and busy since opening.”
With his wife Silvia by his side helping with the new venture, Mr Hegedus said the cafe was filling a gap in the region.
“She’s the boss but I am the owner, it’s a sweet deal” he laughed.
“I’m trying to bring something new and to just lift the game a bit – to be a game-changer.
“You can get an ice cream on the Esplanade, but I want to give more value to just a plain ice cream and for customers to enjoy the cone as well, which is unique here.
“We are trying to bring quality into a fast food business … so freshly baked, fresh products and ingredients. It’s all real and fresh.”
With 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry managing restaurants, Mr Hegedus made the move from Far North Queensland to the region two years ago.
“We moved because the market is more stable here,” he said.
After securing the space on Brisbane Road, over five months they built a new kitchen and “everything from scratch”.
“We started with four bare walls,” he said.
“The fit-out is very eye-catching so we are happy.
“Council were really helpful, I have only had a good experience with them.”
He hoped the business would continue to be well received and to establish a strong local customer base.
“We will look to expand and open other shops as well, if we are successful enough,” he said.
Find Chimney Cakes and Cafe at 2/23 Brisbane Road (off Hancock Street), Mooloolaba.
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