SLIM PICKINGS

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THE Leanchef Kitchn (so lean it’s missing an e) is the newest breakfast and lunch cafe to open on Chevron Island, owned by ex-Melbournite chef and personal trainer Enzo Loterzo. You read correctly — a chef and personal trainer.

The concept is a bricks-and-mortar extension of his online business the Lean Chef, a website offering advice on nutrition and training.

“I was selling programs and helping people lose weight, but also providing them with menus and nutrition advice,” Enzo says.

“We (my family) travelled around the world with the online business.

“When I thought about doing the place up here, I thought, why not make it the Leanchef Kitchn? I would have healthy food, gluten-free food, organic food.”

But don’t panic — it’s not all kale and keto, although kale does make an appearance.

On the breakfast menu you’ll find vegetable fritters with sweet grilled pumpkin, hazelnuts and buttermilk dressing, Belgium waffles with maple syrup and fruit, a fancy smashed avo on toast, breakfast gnocchi and a sneaky paleo bowl (with kale chips).

The lunch menu plays on Enzo’s Italian heritage with a traditional Venetian risotto, a Sicilian style panino and a dish of veal, pork, chicken with cinnamon and rosemary called isola della scala, as well as classic midday dishes of toasties, burgers and salads.

“I’m trying to steer away from the obvious bacon and eggs and just spice it up,” Enzo says.

“I’ve worked with some of Melbourne’s best chefs in some of the best restaurants.

“I’ve more done fine dining, so this will be something completely different.

“I will still do dishes I’ve been known for making — risotto, pastas and stuff, and very contemporary, Melbourney breakfasts.

“I’m always looking for something different, something new.”

Enzo’s decision to open on Chevron Island came after he struggled to find a cafe that met his expectations of high-quality food and top service in the area. “We’ve lived in Surfers for the past few years and there’s not really anywhere I’d go to eat in Surfers,” he says.

“I feel up north is lacking really good, serious breakfast and lunch places that can compete with down south like in Burleigh. I mean, from food to service to the look, the whole thing.

“I just want to bring something up north — good coffee, serious happy service, we know our customers by name, we start making their coffee as we see them park their cars.

“I just want people to think it’s their cafe and know they get looked after.”

Families with children are also welcome to eat at Leanchef, with a menu designed especially for little tackers.

“If I had a bigger place, I’d have a whole room just for kids,” Enzo says.

Outdated sayings aside, a healthy, happy chef is better than a dozen unhealthy ones.

“I get that a lot — ‘There’s no way you’re a chef ’,” Enzo says.

“When I started (in hospitality) you’d do 80 hour weeks, and in the afternoon gap, everyone would have a smoke or play video games. I’d go to the gym. It became part of my daily routine, getting a workout in.”

The Leanchef Kitchn, 1/64 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island