There’s nothing more satisfying than enjoying a comforting meat pie on a cool winter day – unless it is an award winning pie.
Owner of Cheries Pies and Cakes, Anthony Grillakis, has been running the northern Sydney food haven for two years, maintaining the savoury and sweet delights of the 40-year-old bakery business.
Since introducing Caffe Di Stefano coffee to the Harbour Road institution, Anthony says the blend has been well received by customers.
Using Caffe Di stefano’s forte blend, Anthony says the coffee has taken the business to the next level. “It’s a beautiful, strong, full-bodied blend,” he says. “In fact, our coffee volume has doubled. That’s thanks to a combination of great coffee, personalised service and the skill of the coffee maker.”
Located near the northern beaches of Sydney, Cheries Pies and Cakes has a strong take-away coffee focus, which is sold to the morning tradies and businesspeople on their way to work, followed by the “mother’s rush” as they drop their children off at school.
“The best part of the job is the interaction with people,” Anthony says. “Coffee is a personal thing, and customers come in every day expecting the same quality and consistency in our products and service seven days a week.”
Anthony has been working in the coffee industry for 15 years, in Sydney’s café precinct. “I really enjoy what I do,” he says. “My theory is if you enjoy something, you’ll do well in it. I put 100 per cent into everything.”
Customers can experience a variety of 20 different hand-crafted pies made on site, including the gold-awarded chicken, mushroom and leek; gourmet lamb, rosemary and mint; and Cheries' famous plain steak pie, judged second best in australia at the 2011 Sydney fine food awards.
A range of cakes and pastries are also available for those with a sweet tooth.