Abra Kebab: New store to bring Middle Eastern flavours to Rose City Shoppingworld

The new store is set to bring flavours of the Middle East and a bunch of local jobs to Warwick, with the exciting venture set to open in just a few weeks.

An exciting new venture is set to spice up Warwick’s dining sector with a taste of the Middle East and Mediterranean, and the store’s owners plan to bring plenty of job opportunities with them.

Abra Kebab will be the newest addition to the Rose City Shoppingworld food court, with owners Murray and Alannah Duncan lining up an opening date in early September.

The couple already operate Abra Kebab stores in Toowoomba’s Grand Central and Clifford Gardens shopping centres, and said they were thrilled to be able to bring kebabs back to the Rose City.

“I started years ago in five-star hotels working in the hospitality department down the Gold Coast, came back to Toowoomba, and started up these businesses just over 25 years ago,” Mr Duncan said.

“I’ve looked at (Warwick) before but the time was never quite right, but everything’s just lined up now so we’re really excited to have this opportunity.

“We’ve been a local Downs family business for a long time, and we’re glad to be keeping it local.”

Abra Kebab owners Murray and Alannah Duncan (centre) with employees Cheryl Gadsby (left) and Doreen Tebbutt at the opening of their Clifford Gardens store. Photo Dave Noonan / The Chronicle

Alongside the usual array of kebab meat and salad options, Abra Kebab’s menu also features baked potatoes and burgers, HSPs or “snack packs”, and dessert items such as baklava and Turkish delight.

Mr Duncan said their team experienced first-hand the impact of Covid on the hospitality sector, and was looking to support Warwick’s job market by hiring locally.

“I have a couple of staff who currently travel from Warwick to train at our stores in Toowoomba, and we’re looking to increase that number so we have a full company of staff who can work weekends, Thursday nights, holidays, and management and supervisory roles as well,” he said.

“They are uncertain times, and certainly working with people has been the way we’ve gotten through it.

“We’ve just dealt with it as it comes and adapted how we’ve needed to, and appreciated the support of our customers who have helped us stay open and keep growing.”

To apply for a job at Abra Kebab Warwick, send your cover letter and resume to [e-mail].