Belgravia Leisure is excited to announce the destination café at Yawa Aquatic Centre, due to open mid-2021, will be operated by local business owner, Tracey Fleming.
Belgravia Leisure in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council undertook a thorough process to find the best café operator.
“Reading and understanding the vision that top café operators were proposing for Yawa’s destination café was really exciting and demonstrated that Yawa will be a true community hub upon opening,” says Yawa Centre Manager, Dan Andrews.
With a number of high caliber applicants, Tracey’s vision for operating the destination café aligned to Yawa’s objectives, making her the best fit.
Tracey is an experienced hospitality professional and talented foodie best known for her success as founder of Blue Mini Café Emporium, Boneo Road Coffee Roasters and Blue Mini Events.
“As a passionate Peninsula local working in hospitality and tourism for the past 30 years, it seems like a natural progression to be creating a destination café at Yawa Aquatic Centre,” says Tracey.
The new cafe concept named Elements Eatery, will offer a unique hospitality vision to deliver a locally inspired food experience that promotes healthy food choices, celebrates local produce and embraces an environmentally conscious approach to in-centre dining.
Elements Eatery will offer the community and tourists two distinct hospitality experiences including dining at Elements Eatery and pool-side service at Elements Grab and Go Kiosk.
With an indoor and outdoor dining experience, Elements Eatery will seat up to 100 customers. The professional hospitality team will provide a friendly and snappy service for groups and individuals to enjoy a morning coffee, relaxed lunch or a take-home meal.
Elements Eatery’s Grab & Go Kiosk will offer families, casual swimmers, school children and grandparents a welcoming and inclusive space to enjoy a healthy menu alongside the indoor pool areas.
With plans to expand the team in 2021, Tracey will bring in chef Ashtyn Watkins-Shaw, formally from Barn and Co and Hummingbird Eco Retreat. Ashtyn will lead Elements Café’s creative food styling with a fusion of well-known classics and modern dishes with a twist.
“The Inspiration for Elements draws on our vibrant coastal community and landscape; a region bordered on three sides by pristine coastal waters with a rich agricultural heart,” says Tracey.
Tracey also believes there has never been a more important time to support and buy locally on the Mornington Peninsula. The Elements team have designed a menu using local suppliers, contractors and locally-grown produce.
With a menu that considers the Mornington Peninsula’s Healthy Choices Guidelines, the team at Elements have already committed to enter the region’s Best Bites program.
In line with Yawa’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Elements will reduce, re-use, re-cycle and choose eco-sensitive packaging – that includes a ban on single-use plastics in the Grab and Go Menu.
“We are excited to welcome Tracey and her team to Yawa, who will bring many years of experience working in hospitality, tourism and events. Tracey has assembled a highly skilled team with all the right ingredients to deliver an exciting new destination-style café for the Mornington Peninsula” says Dan Andrews.
Elements Eatery will be open to the local community and visitors from mid-2021 in line with a new construction timeline that accounts for COVID-19 restrictions.
The license agreement is currently being finalised with Belgravia Leisure.
