New Toowoomba cafe Brood Coffee started by Lachlan Jurgs after Australian air force career shift

After spending more than a decade serving in the Australian Defence Force and travelling the world, a Toowoomba man has made a big career move. Read his story here.

Every morning Lachlan Jurgs starts the day with an espresso, followed by a Gibraltar which he likens to a small latte.

The 34-year-old barista, who previously worked as an avionics technician for the Royal Australian Air Force for more than a decade, spent years travelling the world and discovering different cafes and cultures.

Now the Toowoomba man has opened his own shop – Brood Coffee on Brook St, at the former site of 4 Brothers Brewing.

Brood Coffee owner Lachlan Jurgs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I have always been passionate about hospitality and science and actually studied both before I enrolled in the military,” Mr Jurgs said.

“(Making coffee) really is a blend of art and science and I love how complicated the process can be … I love diving into the nitty gritty to work out what’s going on at a molecular level.”

Coffee enthusiasts may recognise Mr Jurgs from when he stepped in as a guest barista at Grinds Espresso last year, in between leaving the defence force and opening his own cafe.

While he said he enjoyed the store being on the outskirts of the CBD, there was more behind his desire to choose the quiet street beside the World Gym.

The former site of 4 Brothers Brewing. Pic Mark Cranitch

Mr Jurgs said with the development plans of the Gowrie Creek Catchment and new Toowoomba Hospital, he envisaged this would create further walk-in traffic.

The cafe has already established a loyal following with gym customers making a pit stop between workouts.

Creating an industrial and fresh look, Mr Jurgs completely transformed the interior with a paint job, new benches, electrical and plumbing works.

Brood Coffee owner Lachlan Jurgs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

While he is only serving drinks currently, the barista said he planned to hire more staff and open a kitchen in the future.

Teaming up with his friend and national barista champion Julio Cordero, the pair have also created their own branded single origin beans which are imported from El Salvador and roasted in Brisbane.

The four flavours include the house blend Amigo, Pacamara Honey, Caturra Natural and Bourbon.