Saint James Cafe back in business in Malvern after kitchen fire

When a fire shut this popular Malvern cafe for a month, its owners didn’t waste time moping around. Instead, they drew a positive from the accident, rising from the ashes with a new range of smoke-inspired dishes.

Owner Craig Tate shows off the new Saint James Cafe. Picture Norm Oorloff

Where there’s smoke there’s fire.

The old saying rings true — with a twist — at a popular Malvern cafe, which is back in business with smoke-inspired dishes after a fire forced it to close for almost a month.

Saint James Cafe had to halt trading after an overnight fire in the kitchen on June 1.

Co-owner Craig Tate said the venue had significant smoke damage and needed extensive repairs.

“It has taken a lot longer than we first thought,” he said.

But there was a silver lining in the smoke cloud.

“It gave us the chance to make some changes to the look and feel of the cafe,” Mr Tate said.

“When we first took on the space three years ago we had a lot of ideas about changes to the fit out but had been too busy to do anything about it.

“The forced closure gave us that time.”

Everyone is welcome at Saint James Cafe! Even furry friends.

Mr Tate said staff had been supportive during the shutdown.

“They all promised to come back when we reopened and some have even been in here helping with the renovations,” he said.

Head chef Rishi Modgil, who joined the team about a year ago, has also been busy.

He’s added some smoke-inspired dishes to the menu as specials.

“Why not take something positive out of what has happened?” he said.

The dishes include smoky chicken waffles — cheddar crust waffles, spiced maple syrup and southern smoked chicken and apple wood smoked beer short ribs with chilli caramel, fried egg and sarladaise potatoes.

The famous Fish Finger Butty.

The cafe’s signature dish — a fish-finger butty served with crushed-pea aioli and dill-and-cabbage salad on white bread — has also been tweaked,

“There’s no way they would let me take it off the menu, but I have changed it a little,” he said.

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Mr Tate said the butty was a nod to his British heritage, as was the cafe’s moniker.

“It’s named after Saint James Park which is the home ground for (Premier League team) Newcastle United,” he said.

Apple bircher muesli with a rosewater poached pear.

Mr Tate opened the cafe with childhood friend Rich Donovan after “a backpacking adventure around Australia that never ended”.

“We came here as backpackers seven years ago with the plan to work in hospitality while we were travelling,” he said.

“We never imagined we’d end up opening a cafe together!”

Saint James Cafe is expected to reopen today (Saturday, June 29) from 8am at 1376 Malvern Rd, Malvern.

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