It seems that the people of Perth are really enjoying what we have to offer, especially our coffee, Campos. Our Baristas, under the care of Senior Barista Josh, ensure that every coffee is a great one.

Soon we’ll be introducing a couple a new things to the coffee menu – single origin coffees and a cold drip (just in time for the warmer weather).

We can’t begin to thank you all so much for your continued (and growing) support. WE look forward to seeing you soon.

Laki

My husband Andrew – well needless to say he has been hugely supportive and helpful in many ways – from giving us advice to keeping me calm and always knowing when to pour me a glass of red wine!

Eamon’s parents – Pam and John – John is an architect and has been a huge support especially with the fit out. Pam has become a great friend as well as being a well refined taste tester!

My parents – Ranjith and Lalani – Andrew and I are living with my parents whilst we build a house… we couldn’t do without their support and Dad, also an architect, has advised us, together with John.

Raf Bartkowski from Campos Coffee – the minute we mentioned our idea for a cafe in Perth, Raf has been excited for us and has gone out of his way to help …as well as supplying us with an amazing product!

The team at Bremick Design – our builders have helped our dream to become a reality – we can’t wait for you all to see the finished product!

Kingsley Sullivan from New Norcia Bakeries – Not only is Kingsley supplying us with beautiful artisan breads, but he has also become our mentor. Being new to business, his advice and support has been invaluable.

My best friend and marketing guru Mhairi – every girl needs their best friend and mine is truly the best there is! She’s my friend to share laughs with, my push when I need it – she’s also one half of our marketing team, Breadbox Marketing.

A quick shout out to Matt from Westpac and Steve our web guy who have both been really supportive!

There are many others who have helped along the way and I will endeavour to mention them all over the next few months!

I am currently in Singapore on a training camp, waiting to fly to Shangahi for the 2011 World Championships. The World Champs come about every two years, and is the second most important meet on a swimmers calendar behind the Olympics.

With the Olympics next year, this is a great time to see where I am at with my fitness and mental strength. There is no doubt the last few years have ben very turbulent with injuries and set backs and I feel like I am just coming out of that horrible run of problems feeling fitter than I have for a long time.

As all athletes would tell you, it is important to have a passion outside your chosen sport, to keep you sane. For me it has always been cooking, ever since grade 8. I find cooking theraputic, a chance to ignore injury or simply a bad day in the pool. Louis Baxters has been in my mind since I graduated from school, I have always wanted to open a cafe, and I am so excited it is finally coming true.

A lot of people have asked me how I have time to be a full time athlete and open a cafe on the opposite side of the country (I am currently living in Sydney). Well luckily I met Laki Baker while I was filming the Celebrity Masterchef series in sydney. We both had dreams of opening a cafe, so it seemed like a smart idea to open one together.

Laki has been doing the hard work on the ground in Perth, making sure everything is running to plan in Perth while I am still training for the Olympics in Sydney and for that I am very grateful, as not many people understand the amount of work that a full time athlete puts in.

Even though swimming has been busy, I have been working hard on the menu design, coming up with some great ideas that I hope you will all love… something a bit different to the usual!

Whilst I won’t be in Perth all year round to help out, I am going to be back every chance I get, to be at Louis Baxters, servicing your needs!

I look forward to seeing you all at the end of August, when Louis Baxters will be up and running!!