The Caffeinated Co. owner Alessandra Berlow. Photo: Supplied.
Who is Alessandra Berlow? Well, I’m just a little local lady and I started up a coffee shop (The Caffeinated Co.) to support myself and my dreams. I’m just a simple, humble young lady. I’m originally from Adelaide. I moved to Wagga when I was about 14 and have been here (Wagga) for the rest of my adult life. I’ve always been a big person on kindness, love and compassion. And I’d love to talk to people. I started working at 14 and I love to make coffee. And within that combination, you can talk to people all the time. I found as I went along you could really give people five minutes of kindness and compassion. So that’s really what kick-started everything and got me going and I’ve been able to build a space of my own and create that environment for everyone to enjoy.
Best recent dining experience: GThai. I went there with my staff and it was amazing. I’m usually a pub girl and I stick to my basics and I wanted to try something different. It was a really good experience.
Favourite cuisine: Italian.
Most embarrassing pantry item: I would probably have to say marshmallow fluff. You can get it in a jar. I love it. It’s so bad but it’s so delicious.
Head to The Caffeinated Co. and try their delicious waffles and pancakes. Photo: The Caffeinated Co.
What ingredient can I not live without? Garlic.
Best coffee spot in Wagga: Other than myself, I would have to like Carlo’s Cafe.
Get a coffee and the must-try gluten-free white chocolate raspberry muffins. Photo: The Caffeinated Co.
What’s your coffee blend? Veneziano Coffee Roasters.
Next big thing in the Wagga food scene: Maybe fine dining and tappers.
Turkey, brie and cranberry bagels. Photo: The Caffeinated Co.
A must-try on our menu: My gluten-free white choc raspberry muffins.
My biggest culinary influence: I worked with a young lady named Emma and she used to own a coffee shop called Lucid. She’s now moved on to bigger and better things. But I feel like she was a major influence on me and my confidence levels in starting up my own business. And she’s all for kindness and compassion too. She was a really big influence at a pivotal moment in my life.
Favourite cookbook: Donna Hay and Maggie Beer because I’m from Adeliade and she’s got a large selection of cookbooks.
Head down to The Caffeinated Co. for delicious coffee and try a range of their sugary goodness. Photo: The Caffeinated Co.
Who I admire in the Wagga food and wine scene?: Nick and Kate from The Wild Vine.
What are this week’s specials at The Caffeinated Co? I don’t really have weekly specials. I have like my stock standard treats which everyone likes. Sometimes I change it around, sometimes I don’t.
Death row meal: I’d probably say spaghetti bolognese, garlic bread with alcoholic ginger beer because I love pasta. So I’d have to have pasta in my final moments.
My top three cooking tips: Bake with love. You don’t always have to follow the recipe, just follow your heart. Always take tips from other people.
