The Plant Room cafés have been one of The Disability Trust’s biggest success stories as a social enterprise which now employs 16 people with disability who are thriving in the hospitality industry.
Under the guidance of renowned Wollongong chef Lorenzo Pagnan, the two cafés have quickly earned a reputation for their delicious food, quality coffee and friendly service.
The staff at the two cafés, at Spring Hill and Horsley, have learned the finer points of the hospitality trade from Lorenzo, who is well known as a hatted chef after operating several local restaurants including Due Mezzi in Bulli, Lorenzo’s Diner and the Cheeky Fig in Wollongong.
After the first Plant Room opened next to The Disability Trust’s office building at Spring Hill in 2019, a second café was launched last year at the HammondCare Horsley residential facility.
Both cafés are open to the public and have become a popular meeting place for people in their local communities.
“Part of the reason why I love working here at The Disability Trust is my chance to utilise all my years of experience and to provide that experience to people with disability so they can fulfil their dreams by being able to achieve cooking and service skills within the café that I think they could take home and be proud of,” Lorenzo said.
His favourite thing on the menu?
“I really like the schnitzel wrap,” he said. “I love that freshness of the combination with the cabbage and the carrot and coriander, and that little kick with the sriracha.”
The Plant Room has also branched out into catering for corporate functions and a range of community events, providing a mix of wraps and sandwiches, fruit and sweets boxes.
Nicole is one of the Disability Support Workers at the Plant Room who helps the employees to reach their goals and she is proud of the supportive environment that has been fostered at each café.
“They’re such an awesome bunch of people. It’s a different sort of environment to what I’ve come through in hospitality, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said.
“Teamwork is very important because if we can’t work as a team then we can’t work at all.
“By supporting The Plant Room, you’re supporting people with disability to earn a living, achieve goals and be a part of the community.”
The café employees are thrilled to be learning new skills in meaningful employment.
Dane is one of the team members who says “Lorenzo is the best chef ever” because he has taught the employees all they need to know about running a café as well as how to work as a team.
Izzy added that she was “quite shy” when she started working at The Plant Room but has become more confident in her role.
“I love cooking, baking sweets, talking to customers, working on my communication,” she said.
“I’ve learned how to make coffees, making the meals, I’m doing a bit of everything now.”
Amy said she really enjoys the camaraderie among the café staff: “I get to work with my mates. I’ve made some really good friends here.”
And Jonathan is willing to give any task a try.
“I love running the till so I can take everyone’s orders, what they want to eat or drink for breakfast or lunch,” he said. “I also like to clean up the mess by doing the dishes at the end of the day.
“What I’ve learned here is about being a nice friendly waiter and chef to everyone.”
The Plant Room at 5 Edney Lane, Spring Hill, is open Monday to Friday from 8am–2.30pm and the same hours Monday to Saturday at 116 Shone Avenue, Horsley.
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