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Winner revealed: Le Sorelle Coffee House wins Whitsundays and Bowen’s best cafe | 2023

A woman’s love for coffee and childhood nostalgic has lead to the revival of a decade old Bowen region cafe, securing the title of the region’s best cafe.

A woman’s love for coffee and childhood nostalgic has lead to the revival of a decade old Bowen region cafe, securing the title of the region’s best cafe. Pictured: L-R Jessica Cooke, Kaileigh Cora, Tania Mairhofer, Marcus Mairhofer, Kyla Mairhofer and Bethany Surman.
A woman’s love for coffee and childhood nostalgic has lead to the revival of a decade old Bowen region cafe, securing the title of the region’s best cafe. Pictured: L-R Jessica Cooke, Kaileigh Cora, Tania Mairhofer, Marcus Mairhofer, Kyla Mairhofer and Bethany Surman.

After taking on a new business earlier this year, Marcus and Tania Mairhofer have tripled the cafe’s customer base and won the 2023 title for the top cafe in the Whitsundays and Bowen region.

The couple bought a cafe in Bowen, Le Sorelle Coffee House, in February 2023.

The Mairhofers bought Le Sorelle from the previous owners, Alex and Scott Sinclair who opened the business in October 2013.

Mrs Mairhofer said they decided to buy the cafe because of their love for coffee and their families sentimental attachment to the area.

“I grew up three doors down from the shop, which used to be a fish shop where my mum worked,” Mrs Mairhofer said.

“After my mother passed away last year, we decided to move back to Bowen from Brisbane.

“This place felt more like home and the opportunity was there, so we took it,” she said.

Raised in Bowen, Tania Mairhofer moved to Brisbane where she met her husband who emigrated to Australia from Ireland as a child.

The pair have seven children between 28 and six years of age.

“We got married after the birth of our fourth child”, Tania said.

Husband Marcus has spent the majority of his career as a tradesman working in mobile panel beating, as a concreter and aircon and refrigerator technician.

The couple now work alongside each other at the cafe.

Marcus said working in the hospitality environment had taken some getting used to.

“It takes a lot for me to get my head around it, especially since I’m used to being outside and working with my hands in a somewhat male dominated field,” he said.

Before buying the cafe, Tania balanced a career in hospitality while raising her children.

She said she had always loved cooking and entertaining but was unable to dedicate the time to owning her own business before this year.

Three of their children now work at the cafe along with 20 employees.

She said Bowen feels like home as a majority of her family reside in the town.

With an outdoor children area, the cafe prides itself in catering to families, bringing value for money and serving the best coffee.

“We can’t find any coffee better in Brisbane or Bowen than our own,” she said.

Tania revealed her favourite part of the business was to see her staff receive the compliments and recognition from the customers.

“They receive the compliments they deserve, which is just about everyday,” she said.

“It’s awesome to see the smiles on their faces and to know that they are appreciated.”

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/winner-revealed-le-sorelle-coffee-house-wins-whitsundays-and-bowens-best-cafe-2023/news-story/213b647bb699a26aea758572eb54b33e