Five minutes with Shaishav Kumar Gohil, Fitz Cafe

Fitz Cafe owner Shaishav Kumar Gohil. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.

Who is Shaishav Kumar Gohil?: I’m the owner of Fitz Cafe. I lived in Sydney for three years before moving to Wagga and I’ve been here for the past two years. It had always been my dream to own a cafe and provide people with great coffee. When people tell me ‘it is a nice coffee’, it makes me very happy.

Best recent dining experience: Thaigaa across the road.

Favourite cuisine: Indian. I like my butter chicken and I’m very good at making it as well.

Most embarrassing pantry item: I don’t think I have anything that is embarrassing.

What ingredient can I not live without? All the basic spices, chilli and salt.

Best coffee spot in Wagga: Fitz Cafe.

Next big thing in the Wagga food scene: I used to notice people in Wagga didn’t eat much spicy food. But I think they’ve become more familiar with it and will start having more spicy food.

Shaishav prides himself on making great coffee for his customers every day. Photo: Supplied.

My biggest culinary influence: My loneliness. I was by myself when I first started cooking. For the first two to three months, I wasted a lot of food because I didn’t like the taste. But to be successful in your cooking you have to put a lot of effort into it. I cooked for my mum when I went back to India a couple of months ago. She started crying because it was her first time eating my meal and she said it was awesome.

A must-try on our menu: Blueberry pancake with coconut ice cream, organic pure maple syrup, berries, seasonal fruits, and crushed roasted macadamias.

Fitz Cafe’s must-try blueberry pancake. Photo: Supplied.

Death row meal: Some type of gravy and rice from my mum.

My least favourite food: Smashed avocado.

My COVID-19 response: There was a loss for the business during COVID but it has picked up.

My top three cooking tips: Use quality ingredients and don’t go with the cheaper product. Put all your focus into your cooking and don’t be distracted by other things like watching a movie on the side. Always get someone to taste your food before serving it.

Fitz Cafe is located at 84-86 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga. It’s open Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm. On Saturday it’s open from 7:30 am to 2 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 12:30 pm.