Best cafe Moorabbin Mordialloc Chelsea: Cucina Dolce Chelsea, Fred Kerbage wins community vote
With wood-fired pizzas, eggs bennys and everything in between, it’s no wonder this cafe was voted as the best in Moorabbin, Mordialloc and Chelsea.
Inner South
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Community spirit is what fires the heart of Cucina Dolce Chelsea owner Fred Kerbage.
The southeast hospitality king proudly opened the ever popular cafe and restaurant on Nepean Hwy seven years ago, along with wife Inas and sons Maurice and Zane.
The family live just a stone’s throw away from the buzzing Italian eatery, trading from sunrise to sunset for their loyal customers.
The Kerbage’s serve award-winning coffees in the morning followed by award-winning pizza, pasta and risottos at night.
Adding onto their mounting accolades, the family has been voted in as the Leader’s best cafe of the Moorabbin, Mordialloc and Chelsea region.
The Leader recieved hundreds of votes for the Melbourne-wide competition, showcasing the best of the best when it comes to brunch.
“We concentrate on customer service and our repeat customers … we treat everyone as if they are our family,” Mr Kerbage said.
“We’ve put Chelsea on the map in reference to top quality food.
“It’s all about providing top quality food and really giving value to our customers … we always look forward to seeing our regulars come back again and again.”
The award comes just months after the business, which sponsors a number of local community groups, spent the COVID-19 lockdown providing fresh food hampers and dinner vouchers to those doing it tough.
At the beginning of April, Mr Kerbage sat down with hairdresser Deen Mos from Hairmoves Chelsea, O’Brien Real Estate Chelsea director Stavros Ambatzidis and MP Tim Richardson to come up with a way they could make a difference.
It was then the Put a Smile on Your Face project was born.
The generous group members delivered care packages containing two gourmet wood-fired pizzas, one fresh salad, one tub of sweet gelato, one bottle of soft drink as well as a complimentary haircut and blow-wave to at least two people per day, seven days a week.
People nominated needy recipients from Chelsea and surrounding suburbs on the Cucina Dolce Facebook page.
“We’ve had people nominate those who are on the verge of poverty, others who are going through marriage breakups or experiencing financial hardship,” Mr Kerbage told the Leader in May.
“The project has taken off … I give the people a call first and ask how they are going.
“I’ve had people sending me photos of them crying (when they receive the package).”
For more information visit www.cucinadolce.com.au or phone 9772 9091.
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