Jag Sekhon: Darwin barista strikes out on his own, debuting O.G. Brew drive-through cafe at Eaton

A former Darwin lawyer who took a leap of faith, securing a gig at the former Ducks Nuts Bar and Grill to pursue his passion for hospitality, has taken the next step in his career, opening his own business.

Long-time Territorian Jag Sekhon has opened his own drive-through cafe, located at 8 Osgood Drive, Eaton, after a career in hospitality spanning about two decades. Picture: Facebook

A small businessman whose new drive-through Darwin cafe is booming has shared the story of how he traded his career in law for one in hospitality, and why he thinks locals have taken so much to his first venture.

O.G. Brew, which offers fresh barista coffee and a grab ‘n’ go menu of muesli, sandwiches, and will start serving savoury Danishes and pies next week, opened last month at 8 Osgood Drive, Eaton, near Kingpin Darwin and the Darwin Ice Skating Centre.

The site formerly housed Muzz Buzz cafe, which closed in June last year.

Proud owner Jag Sekhon said his first month of trade had exceeded his most wishful of thinking.

Long-time Territorian Jag Sekhon has opened his own drive-through cafe, located at 8 Osgood Dr, Eaton, after a career in hospitality spanning about two decades. Picture: Facebook

“I really didn’t grasp how much of a precinct near the airport is,” he said.

“There are so many business and other people passing through there.

“Within the first week, any anxieties I had in terms of wondering will people come here were allayed a little bit.

Long-time Territorian Jag Sekhon has opened his own drive-through cafe, located at 8 Osgood Dr, Eaton, after a career in hospitality spanning about two decades. Picture: Facebook

“Obviously we’re a point of convenience for lot of people, but if I can also provide some quality and difference to Maccas, no disrespect to them, then I’ll do that.”

Mr Sekhon joked that as a son of Asian parents, he was only allowed to become a doctor, lawyer, or accountant – the “holy trinity” – and he spent six years working in workers compensation law after graduating from Charles Darwin University.

Long-time Territorian Jag Sekhon has opened his own drive-through cafe, located at 8 Osgood Dr, Eaton, after a career in hospitality spanning about two decades. Picture: Facebook

But thoughts of trading his legal career for one in hospitality were never far, and when his boss did some work on the lease of Mitchell St’s famous Ducks Nuts Bar and Grill, a career switch was engineered for Mr Sekhon.

“Six months later I was running it,” he said.

“I started my trade there and I haven’t looked back.”

Mr Sekhon said although he never envisaged a drive-through cafe in his future – he admits to being seduced by “grand ideas of a really cool cafe with this and this and a bar at night” – he knew he had made the right call by going all in on O.G. Brew.

“My definition of what I wanted for myself in the future is changing,” Mr Sekhon said.

“It doesn’t matter where or what you are, you can create a vibe.

“I’m just by myself there, so it’s on me to create that atmosphere.”