Popular boutique Brisbane bakery Jocelyn’s Provisions ramps up a ready-made recipe for survival

Brisbane bakery Jocelyn’s Provisions has shut down a sizeable chunk of its operations but high demand for ready-made meals and a contact-free “car concierge” has kept its business open.

As part of Jocelyn’s Provisions contact-free “car concierge” to maximise social distancing measures, Allina Mastrapostolos delivers ready-made meals straight to the boot of Alice McGowan’s car at Albion. Picture: Liam Kidston

THE whole cookbook on small business survival has changed and boutique food retailer Jocelyn’s Provisions has devised a new recipe to keep its doors open.

It is one of countless Brisbane businesses suffering and battling to survive as a result of virus-busting new restrictions and social distancing protocols.

The popular bakery and food providore has been forced to shut down a sizeable chunk of its business, including its lauded wedding cake division.

But it has quickly moved into a new opening that has emerged in the business to keep its three locations – Fortitude Valley, Albion and Camp Hill – from shutting up shop and its 50 staff employed.

Allina Mastrapostolos delivers Jocelyn's Provisions meals straight to the boot of Alice McGowan’s car. Picture: Liam Kidston

The planned opening of a fourth outlet in the Brisbane CBD has been postponed for the foreseeable future.

“Our business has changed dramatically,” said owner/chef Lizzie Loel.

“We’ve lost our wedding cake business and wholesale delivery to hotels, cafes and restaurants.

“But at the same time we’ve also had unprecedented demand for ready-made meals and we’ve ramped them up ten-fold to meet the high demand.

“So we’ve sort of been able to pivot the business and we’re happy about that because it helps us keep our staff going.

“Some businesses just flat out have had to close down so we see ourselves as extremely lucky that we have one area that is in growth.”

In a bid to avoid any risk to the health of customers or staff, the business also has introduced a contact-free “car concierge” pick-up service.

“You can order from us off our weekly email menu, pay by credit card and just pop the boot of your car and we’ll drop it in there so there’s no physical contact,” Ms Loel said.

“Or alternatively we can drop it off to you, depending on where and how much. But if people are really in need we’ll do it, we’ll find a way.”

Ms Loel said there was “a definite feeling among people at the moment of wanting to remain healthy and eat well”.