‘It’s just toast!’: Cafe Core Espresso at centre of Vegemite on toast drama hits back

VEGEMITE on toast is divisive at the best of times but one Newcastle cafe has apologetically taken the classic Aussie breakfast to the next level — and say they don’t see what all the fuss is about.

VEGEMITE on toast is divisive at the best of times but one Newcastle cafe has apologetically taken the classic Aussie breakfast to the next level — and say they don’t see what all the fuss is about.

Core Espresso made waves this week after it’s signature brekkie dish — two pieces of sourdough, a dollop of butter adorned with a microherb leaf and a smear of vegemite on a bread board for $7 — stirred up outrage across the web.

OPINION : Let’s be honest. This Vegemite toast looks like s***!

While social media went into meltdown over the hipsterised breakfast option, head barista Danni Kerr said staff were just having a “good laugh” following the overblown reaction to the now viral Instagram post of Core Espresso chef Bill Nguyen’s interpretation of vegemite on toast.

Excellent, forward thinking breakfast? Or idiocy. Vegemite toast at Core Espresso in Newcastle. Picture: Instagram

“It’s a bit ridiculous because I think people are talking about it like it’s $17 but you can’t get quality sourdough for any less than $7,” Ms Kerr said.

“We use good quality local sourdough which you can get from us if you fancy it over a slice of toast you’d get from Woolies.

“It’s funny people are carrying on about it, because I think people forget what capitalism is and that (when you go to a cafe) you’re paying for service as well as food.”

If you’re wondering whether there is a method to Core Espresso’s madness — there is. Ms Kerr said most Australians couldn’t agree on the perfect “vegemite to butter ratio”.

Core Espresso in Newcastle is causing a stir. Picture: Facebook

“It’s good to let people do what they want and put on their own amount of vegemite or butter,” she said.

She said the cafe had been serving its version of vegemite on toast since the cafe opened two years ago.

A breakfast staple. Picture: David Caird

Some more traditional breakfast meals. Picture: Facebook

“It’s one of our staples and you can get it with jam or peanut butter,” she said. “I’m really shocked it has gotten this big … it’s just toast.”

“It honestly wasn’t intentional and I think it was more about us finding creative ways to present our food and the chef having a bit of fun.

How it should look ... Picture: Sarah Matray

“We don’t serve up deconstructed anything … we’re very laid back and we’re pretty proud of what we put up.”

Despite the anger the viral picture generated towards Core Espresso, Ms Kerr said the cafe was happy to soak up the attention all the while having a laugh at the hysteria with regular customers.