COFFEE RUN STOUT CHAMPIONS - MELO FROM MIGRANT COFFEE

Interview by Tim Snape - Heaps Normal.

Photos by Yeah Rad. 

To celebrate the launch of our new Coffee Run Stout, we’re profiling some of our mates in the food and beverage world doing things that we reckon are pretty special, like Melo, from Migrant Coffee in Melbourne’s Footscray. Founded by two best friends who share a love of culture and joy in daily rituals, connecting with people and their history is at the centre of everything they do. As proud daughters of immigrants, Melo developed a menu with twists of Filipino, Thai and Island flavours, fusing their love of bagels with tastes from home. We sat down with Melo to chat coffee, all things all-day-breakfast and got to try some wonderful treats in the process. 

TS| What’s your go-to coffee order?

M | Peppermint tea.

TS | What’s your favourite all-day-breakfast menu item?

M | Bok Bok Manok Bagel with Migrant chilli oil! 

TS | What are you most excited about in the world of food and drinks right now? 

M | Young QPOC who previously haven’t had a seat at the table, building their own from the ground up to cook, serve and celebrate their communities. They’re doing it their way and saying a gentle ‘f*ck you’ to the dated rules and norms of the hospo industry - it’s so exciting to watch unfold and be a part of.

TS | Who is a woman or non-binary legend in the world of food and drinks that inspires you and why?

M | Nicole Ponseca, owner of Jeepney restaurant, pivot queen and a pioneer in the Filipino food movement. She helped make our food and culture visible and validated it in a way I’d never felt before with one of my favourite books 'I Am A Filipino'. It was a real game-changer for me to see, and Icreated a sort of roadmap to show pride in my culture through food and storytelling, which is a big part of our food philosophy at Migrant.

TS | What’s something that you think should be normal in the world of food and drink that isn’t?

M | Kindness and patience in customer service.

TS | What’s a song that you think works at breakfast, lunch and dinner?

M | SiR - Hair Down

MELO'S PICKS

  • Coffee Run Stout Case - Heaps Normal
    Coffee Run Stout Case - Heaps Normal

    Coffee Run Stout Case

    $74.99
    Sold Out
    2023 LIMITED
  • Tough Stuff Shandy Case - Heaps Normal
    Tough Stuff Shandy Case - Heaps Normal

    Tough Stuff Shandy Case

    $74.99
    Sold Out
    2023 LIMITED
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