Town’s ‘beautiful people’ inspired new owner

6 Jul

**Valbhay Modi has taken over the Maple 3 cafe in Maple Street, Maleny …”I looked around the new places and my mind was blown away by the beauty and nature”**

Maple 3 Cafe’s new owner Vaibhav Modi scoured the state for the best business he could find. And he couldn’t go past Maleny’s Maple 3. With big boots to fill — and armed with the former owner’s secret recipes — Modi is keen to continue Mark Hutchinson’s tradition of service excellence.

Can you tell us a little about your backstory, who you are and where you come from?

My name is Vaibhav Modi but people in Australia have known me by the name Modi. I am 24 years old. It’s been three years of my fruitful journey in Australia. I am an I.T. graduate and sales and marketing expert but my first job was working in the kitchen as a cook for three years. Making food is my passion. I want to explore more and more about Aussie breakfast and other cuisine. My background is Indian and I have been living in Australia for three years now, two years in Sydney and one year in Tasmania. After exploring several places Queensland felt like home to me.

What attracted you to Maleny?

Having a passion for cooking and wanting to get my own business brought me to Queensland. I had looked at several other suburbs where I could buy a cafe but people from Maleny changed my mind. I decided my new business has to be around beautiful people and an amazing crowd. I looked around the nearby places and my mind was blown away by the beauty and nature.

Before I took over, I explored Maleny every day by talking to nearby shops and crowds. I felt very optimistic about how they accept the new people in town and shower all the love they can.

Why Maple 3 Cafe?

Maple 3 has been serving for 24 years and that’s a legacy in itself. I am very thankful to Mark and Trish for trusting me. It has been a roller-coaster journey for me and learning from Mark has been a great experience. Maple 3 is a good business, settlement took place smoothly and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.

Are you changing much or will you leave it much the same (menu etc)?

For now I am not changing anything. Everything remains the same with the authentic pies and cakes. We will add different products such as biscuits, tarts, juices, and a kids menu. I am not in a hurry to change many things but will definitely try and introduce my flavours to Maleny people. I hope they like my taste.

How was your first week?

The first week has been amazing. It was a good start but the lockdown went on at the wrong time.

I am very much keen to start the journey and want customers to give feedback about the food which I cook, cakes which I bake, and also the pie.

My team is happy to take the feedback.

Having an experienced team will make the work really easy and smooth.