Soul Press Edithvale, Dingley Village: Dior Drummond’s health food hotspot fuels the southeast

Forget Maccas if you’re hungry and on the go – this healthy cafe has guilt-free eats that will keep you glowing from the inside out.

Soul Press owner Dior Drummond (C) with Dingley Village store co-owner Kirra Pemberton and staff member Amy MacCaskill (R) Picture: Supplied

It’s been close to a decade since Dior Drummond made a drastic lifestyle change.

The former corporate employee grew sick of her 9-5 job and was tired of suffering frequent “crashes” as the result of a high-sugar diet.

“I was working such long days … I started to realise that you are what you eat,” Ms Drummond said.

In 2013 Ms Drummond, then 24, started experimenting with vegan and raw foods in the kitchen.

“Growing up I only cooked with sugar … so I switched the way I prepared food, using dates and natural sweeteners,” she said.

In 2014, Soul Press Edithvale was born.

Ms Drummond has since taken the southeast health food scene by storm, serving up nourishing, healthful treats including acai bowls, green smoothies and vegan nachos.

The brand’s signature feed — the on-trend acai bowl — can be topped with colourful fruits, raw snickers, chocolate-covered goji berries, lashings of peanut butter and more.

The bursting bowl features a blend of the high-antioxidant acai berry which is loaded with healthy fats and fibre to promote heart and overall wellbeing.

Soul Press’ superfood eats also make for a super Instagram snap. Picture: Facebook

Guilt free vegan nachos provide a healthier alternative compared to the westernised Mexican meal. Picture: Facebook

“We wanted to make good food for time-poor people that’s healthy,” Ms Drummond said.

“Instead of going to McDonald’s and getting a McFlurry, you’re eating something that will keep you full for hours and won’t have you feeling guilty.”

The Soul Press brand has exploded across the southeast, with Ms Drummond working with youngest sister Paris at the Edithvale location and opening a Brighton location with sister Brittany.

The Drummond sisters also paid homage to their home town of Dingley Village, launching a shop on Centre Dandenong Rd last year.

Ms Drummond said she was thrilled to be throwing open doors on the Mornington Peninsula next month.

The 32-year-old said her health-conscious customers, who voted the business in as The Leader’s best brunch spot for 2021, were the heartbeat of her business.

“They are all so health driven, it’s great,” she said.

“We don’t want to just sell a green smoothie, we want to sell an experience.”

To view the Soul Press menu visit www.soulpress.com.au or visit the Facebook page.