Kira Zalunardo says she never wants to let go of her cafe. Photo: Karly Sivewright.
Kira Zalunardo, who turns 26 on Sunday (22 March), became one of Griffith’s youngest business owners when she took the reins of popular Yambil Street cafe Cocoa & Bean last year.
“I’ve wanted to own a cafe ever since I was little,” she said.
“People say eateries are a five-to-10-year venture, but I’d like to own this place forever.”
Born and raised in Griffith, Ms Zalunardo got her start in hospitality at the Leagues Club straight out of school before launching her own side business, Cakes by Kira.
“I used to want to be a pastry chef. I’ve been baking cakes, cupcakes and cookies since I was very young, so I started selling them,” she said.
Cakes are Kira’s speciality. Photo: Cocoa & Bean.
In 2024, she landed a job at Cocoa & Bean and quickly worked her way up to manager — a role that would soon open the door to ownership.
When founders Nicole Scarfone and Kristina Foster decided to sell, they saw Ms Zalunardo as the ideal successor.
“They asked me if I wanted to buy it back in 2024. I wasn’t quite ready then, as I hadn’t worked in a cafe yet,” she said.
“They eventually got another offer and told me about it — and I realised I didn’t want anyone else to own it.
“It’s surreal to go from employee to owner, but it’s amazing.”
Now at the helm, Ms Zalunardo manages a mostly female team of 18 staff.
Like fellow young cafe owner Ben Ellevsen of Peeches Coffee Lounge, she’s taken on the unique challenge of being her mum’s boss in the workplace.
“In my family, I’ve always been the boss. They’re used to me bossing them around — now I’m actually their boss,” she said.
Running a cafe is no small task, but Ms Zalunardo says she was ready for the workload.
“I’ve never really had much of a social life,” she said.
“I get here at 6 am and leave at 4 pm, or sometimes stay later to decorate cupcakes and do other work. We open every day and I try to take Mondays off.”
Her partner, Jamie Prendergast, a manager at Rombola Family Farms, shares her work ethic.
“I look up to him a lot,” she said.
Kira (middle) took ownership from Kristina Foster (left) and Nicole Scarfone (right). Photo: Cocoa and Bean.
Since taking over, Ms Zalunardo has been keen to put her own stamp on the cafe.
“I’ve been doing a stuffed cookie of the month and coming up with new specials,” she said.
“I’m looking at introducing a Sunday brunch menu for people who come in a bit later.”
She has also begun hosting events, including a Griffith Women in Business International Women’s Day function, and hopes to expand further into private functions.
Asked what advice she would give to other young women looking to follow in her footsteps, her answer was simple.
“Just do it. You never know what tomorrow’s going to bring. If I didn’t do it, I would regret it. You can do whatever you put your mind to,” she said.
Cocoa & Bean, at 167 Yambil Street, is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 3 pm, and 7:30 am to 2 pm on weekends. Follow it on Facebook.
