2016 Regional Awards

• FINALIST Best Unlicensed Cafe sponsored by The Gordon
• FINALIST Best Coffee sponsored by Maxim PR and Marketing

2016 Judges’ Comments

Freckelduck in Geelong’s CBD is is the place to head for good quality coffee and great tasting food.  The interior is flooded with natural light, warmth, exposed brick, the rear of the cafe has banquette style seating with cushions for comfort. There is a communal table to relax or bar seating by the window where you can watch the passers-bye.  There is a display cabinet filled with sweet and savoury treats as well as a menu to choose from. The lamb roti came with puff pastry slightly sweetened, pickled cucumber, red onion and chickpeas.  The lamb was cooked  for 12 hours, it just melted in your mouth, served with a cumin labneh and raw kale which added the crunch factor. The potato and leek rosti had large dense layered gratin served lukewarm with smoked salmon, asparagus, almonds and rocket with a romesco sauce, great balance of flavours.  The blueberry friand was dense and perfectly cooked. The banana and raspberry bread topped with coconut had just come out of the oven and was still warm, it had a soft, crumbly texture. The wait staff are welcoming and accommodating at this family friendly cafe and children have their own a menu to choose from.  Five senses coffee is served and Freckleduck support One Girl charity. For every 3000 coffees sold a girl in Africa is educated for a year. What a fantastic gesture.  Freckelduck offers moderate prices, quality fresh ingredients, good portion sizes and great value for money.