A slower life running a cafe drew Mark and Bee Long from Asia

The couple took over the riverside suburb’s popular eatery almost two months ago, renaming it Singapore Baker’s Cafe in a nod to Mrs Long’s Asian heritage and her love of baking.

Both are very familiar with the hospitality industry and are drawing on this experience to create something special for Gravelly Beach residents and tourists.

Mr Long spent many years as the executive chef for five-star hotels throughout Asia and Lizard Island at the Great Barrier Reef.

Instead of creating delicacies like foie gras lollipops dipped in chocolate for the likes of Chanel, Tiffany & Co, Christian Dior or Louis Vuitton, Mr Long is focusing on the cafe’s lazy weekend breakfast menu, toasted sandwiches and tasting planks.

“I used to work with a lot of big brands and cater for opening parties in China,” Mr Long said.

And Mrs Long is using her experience in running cafes in Asia to create sweet and savoury treats, such as bite-sized chocolate and chilli cakes and Singaporean curries.

“I love baking. Even when we lived in Asia I baked and catered from home,” Mrs Long said.

“There’s so many cafes out there and we thought how could we be different? We’ll always have our signature home bakes, but change the rest regularly,” Mr Long added. 

“You need to set yourself apart,” he said.

A visit to family in Tasmania in May promoted the Longs to think about moving to the island state, later deciding to buy 50 acres at Glengarry.

“We fell in love with it. We came for the lifestyle and to enjoy life,” Mr Long said.

“I love the space. It’s so different from the hustle and bustle of Asia,” Mrs Long said.

Running a cafe as a husband-and-wife team in Tasmania is very different to the frenetic activity they are used to.

“In Asia people were eating all day, but here it’s just 12pm until 2pm and breakfast. It’s a beautiful destination to come for coffee and cake and watch the Tamar River,” Mr Long said.

“We’re doing everything now. In India I had 180 staff and in China I had 240, but now it’s just us. But what a gift for [Bee] to be able to do her hobby.

“We’re still a young business, but our main objective is to provide locals with an outlet where we do honest cooking with fresh ingredients and offer value for money.”