Melaleuca Kitchen serious about delectable offerings house made at new Birkdale location

A chef who has worked with some of the best in the biz, has with his wife opened a takeaway store set to titillate tastebuds.

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aide, is a thought adopted by a daring new gourmet kitchen at a southeast Queensland hub seeing encouraging growth.

Melaleuca Kitchen at Birkdale Court claims to make the best Reuben sandwich in all of Greater Brisbane.

The bold claim is backed by some serious culinary pedigree and a fresh approach to high-quality takeaway borne of COVID-19 pressures.

Husband and wife team Nigel and Helen Stanley are thrilled with the Birkdale location of their newly opened Melaleuca Kitchen, specialising in gourmet takeaway. Picture: Marcel Baum

Husband and wife team Nigel and Helen Stanley had a mean fight on their hands to secure their digs, and after several misses elsewhere hit the bull’s eye and “perfect location” in Birkdale.

Situated at 2/106 Birkdale Road the venue is guaranteed a steady stream of traffic, as was evidenced by a near chock-full car park yesterday morning.

Though there is seating, the focus is very much on gourmet takeaway with a difference.

Melaleuca Kitchen claims to have the best Reuben sandwich in all of Brisbane. Picture: Melaleuca Kitchen

Chef Nigel completed his apprenticeship at no less a gastronomical powerhouse than celebrated chef Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill in Sydney, worked with Alastair McLeod at Brett’s Wharf and plied his trade with numerous “name chefs” in London.

Keen for a change of pace but determined to bring something delicious and different to the bayside, Helen and Nigel finally settled in Lota and were encouraged by their “soft open” last week at their Birkdale store.

“The reception has been fantastic,” said Helen.

“We’ve had lots of people come in and comment how nice it is to get something different in the area.

“‘Melaleuca’ is our nod to doing modern Australian food and the ‘Kitchen’ is because we make as much as we can on premises.

“Our Reuben sandwich is our star.

“Available on sourdough or traditional rye, everything for it is made on premises except the bread and the cheese.”

Nigel makes the pastrami, sauerkraut, pickles and Russian dressing.

“I’d say our lunchtime offering of salads and sandwiches really makes us stand out,” Helen said.

A cappuccino takeaway with pumpkin scones in the background next to cronuts with lemon curd and candied lemon at Melaleuca Kitchen. Picture: Marcel Baum

To that end customers can expect a host of carefully considered dishes.

In addition to the famous Reuben, there is a Cuban sandwich: Roasted pork marinated in orange juice, oregano and cumin, ham, cheese, mustard and pickles. Served on your choice of traditional rye, white sourdough or gluten free bread.

Or a new look chicken sandwich: BBQ smoked chicken, lettuce and miso ranch dressing. Again served on your choice of traditional rye, white sourdough or gluten free bread.

Pumpkin scones at Melaleuca Kitchen. Picture: Supplied

Pastries at Melaleuca Kitchen. Picture: Melaleuca Kitchen.

And for those more inclined to a vegetarian option, there is the Sabich: Grilled eggplant, hummus, chopped boiled egg and shirazi salad served on pita.

For those with a sweet tooth a selection of pastries and scones are on offer, ranging from pumpkin scones with “delicious” rhubarb jam made in house to the cronut with lemon curd and candied lemon, to name a but a few.

Helen said Birkdale Court has seen no shortage of new businesses, including their own.

Eagerly awaited is a full-sized deli, soon to open Helen said, offering a selection of sophisticated goods.

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It comes as Birkdale and adjacent Capalaba see a steady drift towards more varied and cosmopolitan offerings.

Shoppers have already flocked to Gastronome European Deli at Capalaba Central Shopping Centre, across from which stands Sunlit Asian Supermarket with a riches of oriental products.