Abbots & Kinney reveals plans for Marino Rocks Social

Abbots & Kinney – the chain behind much-loved pastry creations like Sugar Daddy and Ugly Raspbetty – is aiming to fix the culinary black spot between Hallett Cove and Brighton.

Chef Richard Wilson. Picture: Dean Martin

Popular bakery and patisserie Abbots & Kinney – the name behind such cult-loved pastry creations as Ugly Raspbetty and Sugar Daddy – is breathing new life into southern beachside cafe, Marino Rocks Social.

The team aim to fill a void in the area for quality cafe fare, while creating a community hub.

Chef Richard Wilson, 26, is the new company director and operations manager for A&K, taking over from the company’s founder, Jonny Pisanelli, who now lives in interstate. Mr Wilson said he believed the new Abbots & Kinney cafe would “put the area on the map”.

“There’s nothing really from Hallett Cove to Brighton,” Mr Wilson says of quality food offerings along the stretch of coast. “Even then, the ones at Hallett Cove and Christies Beach aren’t of the same substance as what you’d expect from Brighton or Glenelg or Henley.

“If we can bring something of that quality down past Brighton, we’re putting that area on the map.”

Mr Wilson is already a known name in the community, having operated the popular Oceans food truck in nearby Kingston Park for the past four years. That closed on Sunday, May 28.

“The plan from day one was to use that as a stepping stone onto bigger business,” he said.

Abbots & Kinney at Marino Rocks, which will join suburban counterparts at Croydon and Unley, will offer a broader offering of food, Mr Wilson said.

Cult-loved pastry maker Abbots & Kinney is opening its first outpost down south. Picture: Dean Martin

“Abbots has always been predominantly sweets; I am a savoury chef by trade so that’s what my push has been,” he said. “(There’ll be) new sandwiches, new salads, new hot pastries.”

Mr Wilson said he hoped to secure a long-term tenancy for the cafe, which is currently open Wed-Sun.

“Given time and the right support, Abbots & Kinney could definitely help create that community atmosphere at Marino Rocks – that’s what our Croydon store has always been famous for, and Unley and Pirie St (city) as well,” he said.