Talking Turkey Cafe: fine food at popular Palmwoods eatery

With a 20 year career as a professional chef, and a lifetime of family cooking behind him, Chef Santosh Walunjkar brings experience and a passion for making beautiful food that feeds all the senses to Talking Turkey Cafe in Palmwoods.

“I grew up in a very poor family in India, and from childhood, my mother taught me how to cook nourishing meals for the family,” Santosh explained. “There was no money to buy fast food, and it didn’t really exist as we know it here. Making and sharing good food is so important. I learnt this from an early age.”

Early this month, Santosh took over One Weird Dog cafe with Leon Pope. “Leon will be working the front of house and I will be in the kitchen,” said Santosh. “My existing private catering business is called Talking Turkey, and the name means ‘talking straight and to the point’. I think that is a good way to describe my food. My dishes appeal to all the senses, because people taste with their eyes, before they take a bite.

“My menu is simple, and based on fresh, seasonal ingredients. I have come into the business with an open mind and desire to give people what they want,” he said. “I really enjoy connecting with our guests and getting feedback from them about the dishes. Over time I think I can put together a menu that is a real people pleaser.”

Talking Turkey Cafe will be open from 6.30am to 2pm for breakfast and lunch, every day except Tuesday and offers options for vegans, vegetarians and other food sensitivities and preferences.

“People in Palmwoods have been super friendly, supportive and welcoming and my plan is to make our customers happy by serving up the best food I can make.”

• Talking Turkey Cafe is at 4/7 Margaret St Palmwoods and you can follow them on Facebook at @talkingturkeycafe

Leon Pope and Santosh Walunjkar … “Making and sharing good food is so important. I learnt this from an early age.”