Evan and Holly Munroe open Henri’s Gourmet Food in Urraween

From “pimped up crumpets” and nostalgic Jersey Caramel cakes to gourmet cheeses and sauces, a new cafe and dessert store, dreamt up by a disability worker with baking in his blood, is serving up homemade treats with a fine food touch.

Coffee on Central 7th, now known as Henri's Gourmet Food, is under new management by Evan and Holly Munroe.

A new business has rebranded and reimagined the space that use to house Coffee Ave on 7th, with Henri’s Gourmet Food stepping into the spotlight.

Taking over operations in mid-November last year, passionate foodies Evan and Holly Munroe began by keeping all staff on and sticking to the original menu, only transitioning to a new service on Thursday morning.

“It was nice to be able to step into it gently while having a team already here,” Mr Munroe said.

“We’ve had to maintain the loyalty to existing customers and what they want but also build our brand.”

The couple has lived in Hervey Bay for 12 years, originally moving to the area as disability support workers and owning their own business in the sector called HEEA, a clinic in Urraween that provided occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and physiotherapy services.

An oversized lemon meringue lamington done by the chefs at Henri's Gourmet Food.

“Everything we do is about people,” he said.

“I’ve spent 32 years in management in the disability sector before starting the company with Holly five years ago.

“I’ve always been around food and private catering as well.

“People are my passion.

“Working in the disability space was about creating opportunities for people to have the best life, whereas working with food is about connecting people through a meal.”

With coffee, a new all day food menu, catering services and artisan products for sale already rounding out a solid business model, Evan also specialises in making cakes based off a customer’s personal taste.

Henri's sells artisan sauces, spreads, sausages, and cheeses from independent companies based all around the country.

Inspired by his mother, who made wedding cakes for his sisters, Evan has continued that tradition by baking recent cakes such as Jersey Caramel and a specially requested milk and digestive biscuit flavoured delicacy.

Henri’s also prides itself on using and selling products from independent growers around the country.

“Part of the philosophy is connecting with small growers and producers.”

A few of the products they sell include relishes from Hornsby, sauces from Maleny and Burleigh, and cheeses from northern Tasmania.

Sourdough crumpets, Huevos Rancheros, and a low carb breakfast are items Evan expects to be hits from the new menu.

You can find Henri’s Gourmet Food at 7 Central Ave, Urraween.