105 THE BIRD AND THE WOLF – Winning high praise in Tarwin Lower

AS YOU FOLLOW THE STATELY, MEANDERING TARWIN RIVER SOUTH, YOU EVENTUALLY ARRIVE IN THE PICTURESQUE TOWN OF TARWIN LOWER IN SOUTH GIPPSLAND. IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF THE TIME TO STROLL ALONG THE DIVERSE SHOPPING STRIP, THE TEASING SCENT OF AWARD WINNING LITTLE REBEL ROASTED COFFEE WILL LEAD YOU DIRECTLY TO THE BIRD & THE WOLF CAFE.

WORDS BY CAMILLA HULLICK | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

Upon entering the tastefully decorated coffee shop, an enticing, delicious waft will animate your taste buds, while the background music offers a pleasing, uplifting ambiance. Friendly, beaming faces will warmly greet you, ready to take your order as you decide to sit inside or outside among the rustic greenery.

The licensed Bird & The Wolf Cafe is well known and loved within the area since opening its doors at Easter 2019. The proprietor is the dynamic Ennis family, who utilises it's collective, passionate catering and business flare to manage its meticulous trade. Upbeat Sammy Ennis explained, "When the business opportunity arose it just felt so right and Tash and I impulsively each grabbed it with both hands. We wanted to have a crack to infuse our visions and ideas and develop the cafe into our own."

Sammy grew up in the stunning, coastal town of Venus Bay and met the endearing Natasha from Drouin in his early twenties. Partnered just under six years and with combined focus, determination and plain old hard work, the two have achieved many and varied, significant goals throughout their young lives. The word 'impossible' is typically nonexistent amongst their vocabulary.

A few months into the couple's catering venture, exciting news spread via the bush telegraph, Natasha had fallen pregnant. It was June 2020 Sammy and Tash became a family after welcoming their first child, little Felix, into the world. Natasha claimed, "It's been an amazing, wonderful time for us all."

Sammy, Tash and their competent staff are a fun-loving, down to earth, diligent bunch and a pleasure to meet. The proof is daily in the pudding going by their many, loyal, local and visiting customers. A mouth-watering, home made cafe menu is available, complemented by a vast selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Cakes, slices and muffins constantly transpire from the oven, hot, steaming and ready to devour.

Cindy Stevens is the lone cook and mastermind behind the creative cafe menu. Working from a shoebox kitchen, Cindy skilfully cooks up a tantalising, diverse storm, predominantly using locally sourced produce and condiments to please the appetite of anyone who walks through the cafe's door. Her full, flavoursome breakfasts available all day, will impress you, while the selection of burgers will stop you in your tracks. In fact, the burgers are so good, The Bird & The Wolf Cafe received an honourable mention in June of this year for their superb 'Beefy Chick' burger!

Mat Preston, best known for his previous role on Channel Ten's MasterChef Australia, is an English-Australian food critic, food journalist and recipe writer. During May he utilised his influence to promote rural businesses and teamed up with the Herald Sun in search of the 'Best Burger' in regional Victoria. Advertised across our state via Melbourne and country online newspaper platforms, a winner and runner-up soon emerged among sixteen candidates.

Kermonds Hamburgers in Warrnambool won the competition, while our very own The Bird & The Wolf Cafe was announced a close second by only two votes. Once the Tarwin Lower cafe posted its celebratory news on its Facebook page, it reached over 34,500 admirers in no time.

Sammy, Natasha and staff were understandably over the moon! Sammy voiced, "We had no idea of the Victoria-wide search until an unknown customer nominated us on Facebook and tagged our business to let us know. Only then did we realise something exciting was brewing."

As the contenders for the best burger progressively amounted, The Bird & The Wolf Cafe knew they were competing against specialised hamburger traders and establishments alike. However, when a journalist from the Herald Sun rang to inform them of their achievement and the announcement would be printed in the Melbourne newspaper, they were thrilled.

Sammy said, "We've always been proud of our home made cuisine and it seems we have good reason!"

Thanks to Sammy, Natasha and Cindy, our beautiful region is now placed on the hamburger map as boasting the tastiest, dazzling, mega burgers this side of town.

From the left: Tom Nye, Cindy Stevens, Owners - Sam Ennis & Natasha Doyle with their son Felix Ennis.