The couple behind Bicheno’s Farm Shed
Leaders of the Bicheno hospitality scene, Helen Bain and Subi Mead have made their charming home the perfect respite after a long day
Since entering the East Coast food scene with the inimitable The Left Bank eatery at Swansea in 2000, Helen Bain and Subi Mead have attracted both praise and fans. Their newest eatery – The Farm Shed at Bicheno – opened late last year to much acclaim.
Today, the couple is enjoying a rare day off at home with friends after celebrating a successful first three months at the Shed.
Helen and Subi live in a three-bedroom ‘60s shack with water views and the relaxed feel of a seaside holiday retreat. The open-plan living space is filled with natural light and an eclectic mix of new and vintage furniture. Bright feature walls and artworks add layers of interest to the comfortable abode.
Contemporary pieces by Tasmanian designers abound, including Duncan Meerding’s Cracked Log Lamp and Leaning Leaf side table, and a Georgina Freeman timber dining table designed for Smolt. “We love the house,” says Subi. “Every piece of art and furniture tells a story.”
In the cosy lounge area, the wood heater and a pair of 1970s Tessa brown leather armchairs provide a place to rest after a long day’s work.
“These chairs are what get us through the week,” says Subi. “We have been known to sit here and not move until we go to bed,” says Helen with a laugh. At home, the couple’s life is prioritised by relaxation and quality time with their much-loved dogs Zelda and Frida.
The couple recently celebrated 20 years together; a period that has been shaped by ideas, inspirations and a shared desire to create something special together. With no prior experience in running a business, they hit the ground running when they launched The Left Bank and haven’t looked back.
“We were thirsty for knowledge. We had heaps of support from so many people and were so excited to do it,” says Helen.
Their thirst and passion paid off, with their first eatery receiving plenty of attention, much of it focused on their celebrated – and now legendary – lemon tart.
After a successful five-year run there, they sold the business and took a break from hospitality. Opportunity knocked again when Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron invited them to partner in the transformation of an old school campsite at Bicheno, which would eventually became their Portuguese-themed Granite restaurant. The eatery got off to a successful start but ultimately the business partnership folded and it closed after five short months.
“We got out fairly battered by the experience but dared to dream again,” says Subi.
The result of that dream is The Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre. It is Bicheno’s first new commercial building in 13 years, designed by Hobart-based architect Maria Gigney and built in just four months. It’s also the result of an idea sparked nearly 20 years ago by a visit to a wine centre in the then-emergent Margaret River wine region.
“It’s a fledgling wine region here on the East Coast, so a wine bar made sense. We feel like we’ve come full circle since visiting Margaret River all those years ago,” says Helen.
Helen and Subi continue to run the local post office from the rear of The Farm Shed while also providing wine and gin tastings, coffee, food, and local art and craft in the main space. They’re clearly happy living and working on the East Coast. “We love being near the ocean and the climate is great,” says Helen.
“The positive side of it is that you are really engaged with the local community. In a small country town, when something goes wrong in someone’s life, the community gathers around them. It’s really heartwarming to see,” Subi says.
With plenty of love for each other and a renewed passion for business, it looks like an exciting new chapter has opened for this hardworking and inspiring duo.