Caroline Jones, Owner, Beastie Burgers
Life is not a dress rehearsal ...
When a fine dining background has been ingrained into your being, creating a simple burger of traditional fast-food quality was never an option. With the elegant Boucher French Bistro already up her sleeve, Caroline Jones expanded into the lunch trade, crafting gourmet burgers made from the finest ingredients with Beastie Burgers at South Bank. Every detail has been considered – from the Lindt chocolate used in milkshakes to slabs of haloumi as the cheese of choice amongst the ever-fresh ingredients of the juicy, hunger-quenching burgers. With baking cakes her passion, Caroline then expanded her offerings to include Three Girls Skipping at Graceville, a cafe replete with decadent cakes and sweet offerings, where locals gather for breakfast and lunch in true community stride. The Weekend Edition caught up with this busy-bee foodie to discover her weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
With a sleep in – it never happens!
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Going out for breakfast, if I am not sleeping in.
How do you like to unwind?
Just being at home pottering – love it.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
It seems the same as everyone you interview – spending time with my family, relaxing, attempting to tackle some chores around the house.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Those chores around the house.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Head to Norman Park Bowls Club for the chicken schnitzel … it’s cheap and cheerful.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
My little boy is turning one, my mum is coming to stay and my dear friends Scott and Shell are getting married (I am making their wedding cake) – a busy weekend!
What are you reading at the moment?
Where is the Green Sheep? (my son Lach’s favourite – I know it off by heart). And cookbooks; there’s always a pile beside my bed.
What inspires you?
People – the older I get the more I realise that everyone has a story to tell. People are wonderful and life is interesting whatever path you take.
What was your childhood dream?
Mum recalls me wanting to be an astronomer and a ballerina.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Apart from having Lach – which has been the best thing that could have ever happened – I guess Three Girls Skipping. I have said that it is what I always wanted to do and I think that all my years in kitchens was heading towards this. I’m living the dream.
What is success to you?
Health, happiness and good people around me.
What are your words of wisdom?
Life is not a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at it, so do it with gusto and without regrets … well, not many regrets.
Only a local would know … Graceville really is a village.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Yum Cha – who doesn’t go through weekends of craving steamed pork buns and those custard tarts.
Relax … New Farm Park – a picnic blanket, a good book, sunshine.
Dine … Boucher French Bistro, Graceville
Indulge … In bed (a concurrent theme of being sleep deprived is obviously showing through here).
Shop … Pink On White Walls, Graceville
Catch-up … Beastie Burgers, South Bank – great burgers and space for Lach to waddle around.
Be inspired … Three Girls Skipping – I have a great team and amazing customers. What more could I ask for?
