Deborah Peralta, Brownie Connoisseur, Dello Mano
Have the courage to believe in yourself ...
Connoisseurs of chocolate in the most decadent way, Dello Mano create mouthwatering brownies, sweet cookies and an array of delicious cocoa treats. Growing from a little market stall at Jan Power Farmers Markets to setting up a permanent locale in Teneriffe, Deborah and Bien Peralta have created a haven for the chocolate lovers of Brisbane. A sunny spot for reading a classic tome over a Peanut Butter Luxury Brownie and an indulgent thick hot chocolate, this community-driven, gourmet nook is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a carefully tailored gift. The Weekend Edition spoke to the lovely Deb to discover her weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
With a glass of wine on the balcony and enjoying my garden with my family.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
I usually buy the latest edition of a magazine during the week and save it until I have time to read it on a Saturday morning – so perfection is a coffee and one of my favourite mags before heading off to work at Dello Mano.
How do you like to unwind?
By doing something creative like painting, dreaming my way through magazines, or gardening.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
A packed house at Dello Mano – talking with our regulars and enjoying their company. Also, time with our family, a meal together and preferably some gardening.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Seeing the current Modern Woman exhibition at GOMA.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Cooking a traditional family roast dinner and eating together.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Painting some chairs and a large frame with Porter’s Paints Blood Orange and Carmen Hot Pink.
What are you reading at the moment?
Alice Waters and Chez Panisse by Thomas McNamee, A Certain Style by Tricia Guild, and I’m re-reading Business as Unusual: The Triumph of Anita Roddick. Also many many magazines, both new and old.
What inspires you?
People who challenge the norm. People who chase and believe in their dreams. Creativity. Colour. A job well done. Magazines of all types, but especially food, interiors and lifestyle.
What was your childhood dream?
To own and run a food business. As a kid I kept a ‘fully stocked’ supermarket in my mum and dad’s garage. My mum kept hundreds of empty packs, cans and bottles and I spent many hours rearranging displays. When I was a little older, I cooked every weekend and was always motivated by making large amounts of food so instead of making eight jars of jam I would make 70 or so.
What has been your greatest achievement?
My girls (Phoebe, 14, and Coco, 12), having the courage to go after the dream and remaining committed to believing – through thick and thin. Both Bien and I make an effort to demonstrate this to our girls so that they believe that following their dreams is the only way to go.
What is success to you?
Before we started Dello Mano, I worried about whether it would be successful. Just after we finally had the courage to start, I realised that the success was actually in having the courage to follow your heart.
What are your words of wisdom?
Always be willing to listen and learn from others, but recognise and respect that, sometimes, only you see it as your heart sees it and so have the courage to believe in yourself.
Only a local would know … that Teneriffe was only given its own suburb status in 2010 (as opposed to Newstead). Many GPS and even Google searches still don’t recognise Teneriffe and its own postcode of 4005.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Porter’s Paints, Fortitude Valley
Relax … Noosa
Dine … Il Posto, Paddington
Indulge … Dome Retreat, Brisbane City
Shop … Petersen’s Quality Meats, New Farm Antiques and Fine Fruit on James Street
Catch-up … Belle Epoque Patisserie, Emporium
Be inspired … Magnolia Interiors, Fortitude Valley
