James Bennett has recently bought the iconic Monterey Cafe in Maitland Street, a popular eat-in and take-away cafe for generations of locals and travellers.
“When I bought the Monterey I wanted to make sure I kept the traditional fare, fish and chips, hamburgers, sandwiches, meals,” said James.
“But I wanted to add some new features as well.”
The new features are a large pizza oven and latterly, two doner kebab rotisseries.
“The kebabs have been hugely popular from the minute I cooked the first one,” said James. “We were kept busy all day.”
Kebabs are an authentic Middle Eastern meal, originating in Turkey, usually chicken or beef – although James prepares a combination of both, accompanied by a range of extras from tabouli to lettuce, onions, tomato – all wrapped in Lebanese bread with a choice of sauce.
The specially seasoned meat arrives frozen, ready to cook, is placed on the vertical rotisseries and about three hours later is ready to serve. The meat is shaved off the rotisserie as it is cooked.
“These are substantial serves – people come in early, from 5am, for a ‘brekkie kebab’, and it sets them up for the day,” said James.
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