New café 'cuts through' Fish Market

Friday 13 March 2020

A mum-of-two, whose passion for food started as a teen, has opened a new café in the Fish Market.

Keeley O’Brien opened 'The Cut Through' last Monday in a spot previously occupied by Relish and plans to dish out what she describes as “typical comfort food” with a healthy twist.

Keeley previously managed a café in town for two years, but this is the first time she is running her own place.

“I have always wanted some sort of food establishment,” she said. “I have always had a passion for food, watching food stuff, being interested in what people eat, looking at the menu in other places."

It all started when Keeley was only 14, helping out a friend’s mum with her food van. Her nan also used to go into local primary schools to teach children how to cook, something Keeley herself started doing at her children’s school.

After her previous place of work closed down, Keeley seized the opportunity to open her own café.  

“I put together things that I make at home,” she explained. “The concept is typically comfort food with healthy alternatives, such as a sweet potato for jacket potatoes or a tortilla pizza.”

Pictured: The menu includes dishes Keeley cooks in her own home.

“The Cut Through” menu also includes breakfast wraps, sourdough slices with a selection of toppings and smoothie bowls. A lot of the items available are vegan friendly, such as pancakes and the ‘hot dawgs’ to name only a few.  

Explaining the name, Keeley simply said “that what it is used as” pointing out to the many people who walk through the market from Minden Place to Beresford Street. 

While she admits she was at first worried by the idea of setting up in the Fish Market – Keeley says some people told her they hated the smell and wouldn’t visit – she says there is quite a lot of footfall in the area. 

Pictured: Keeley's passion for food started when she was just 14.

“Things are picking up,” she said, noting a new florist has just opened in the market. The murals local artists painted on the wall near the café last year also attract people eager to catch a pic of the colourful creations.

For Keeley however more could be done to draw people to the markets. “More pop-up stuff would be good,” she said.

“There is a lot of the same thing in the markets, a bit more variety would be good. I don’t understand the hours as well, I don’t think it helps.”

Pictured: Many islanders stop by the Fish Market mural to get a pic.

While she is thinking of expanding in the future, Keeley says she is focusing on The Cut Through for now. As a single mum of two and with the café opening from 08:15 Monday to Saturday – and closing at 16:00 except on Mondays and Thursday – Keeley’s days are quite busy, but she takes it all in her stride.

“I work well under pressure which is good,” she said. “People understand you are just doing it all on your own. I sometimes worry they are waiting too long but they do understand.”