Baking up a storm
Tash Raabe
I’VE lived in Toowoomba all my life and I’ve worked here for 14 months. I like hospitality, it’s really nice, it’s my favourite thing to do.
What do I like about it? Probably doing the cakes, icing the cakes and making the wraps .. and everyone’s so nice.
Long term, I want to stick at it. I’m thinking of doing a diploma in patisserie, but I’m not sure yet. I’m still thinking about it. It’s something I’d like to look into.
What’s my favourite thing about Toowoomba? Probably the Carnival of Flowers. I like that the best. It’s really nice.
Rob Schatz
I MOVED to Toowoomba in 2004 - we just had young children at the time and my family’s from north-western New South Wales, so we moved back a bit closer to them.
I’ve enjoyed being here in Toowoomba. It’s been a lovely city for the kids to grow up in.
I’ve had businesses in Grand Central for about 12 years now. So I had Jamaica Blue originally and then this (store) as Muffin break, and then as of April 23 this year, I’ve gone independent.
What do I enjoy about hospitality? It’s definitely the customer base. I’ve had a longterm loyal customer base between both businesses which I really appreciate and love.
I think the best thing about Toowoomba is that it’s a good mix of big country town and city living.
Tina Morris
I’VE lived in Toowoomba for quite a few years. I have two kids and I’m from Texas, originally.
I enjoy working here at Totally Baked and I’ve been here for a couple of years.
Why’d I move to Toowoomba? More opportunity for work, and more variety.
One thing I like about Toowoomba is the changing weather, all the different seasons, and how you don’t know what you’re waking up to the next morning.
Dolly Nicholson
I’M Rob’s barista. I have been working for him for nine years now. I started when he owned Jamaica Blue downstairs and he brought me back over here and I’ve been working for him all this time.
I used to compete in barista competitions – I came second in Queensland with Muffin Break. And I enjoyed that.
My favourite thing about Toowoomba – I guess I like interacting with people and I have my own clientele who follow me around. So yeah, enjoying the people basically. I love people.
How did I get into competitions? Practice. And I have a really good teacher which is Rob. He sits there and says, “that’s not good enough. Do it again”. So I do it over and over until I get it right.
I’d like to own my own café one day but that’s a long way away. You need money, right? Everything else is good. This is my dream I guess, to work in a café. And I like doing it.