Couple’s breakfast business seen as perfect model for Lewisham enterprise
A well-loved breakfast and brunch spot, Break the Fast London, is one of five familiar faces chosen to front the Discover Lewisham campaign launched by the council two years ago to promote the borough.
Break the Fast London is familiar because last year it was the winner of the Best New Business award at the Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards.
Co-owners and long-time residents Sindi and Elie Kayembe are delighted to have been chosen to as part of the latest borough campaign to entice more visitors to the area and perhaps encourage more local start-ups.
Break the Fast started out of their home, initially as a pick-up service. When the space opened at 7 Bromley Road, Catford, they took on the exciting challenge of turning their dreams into a reality.
Now, a year and half later, they Break the Fast open their door every weekend to people coming from all over wanting to try their delicious, globally inspired meals.
With a fusion menu that ranges from French Toast to Shakshuka to Carribean favourites like Ackee and Saltfish. Their current café is a weekend pop-up, open on Saturdays and Sundays (10am-4pm).
Sindi and Elie are a great example of having a go, working it out along the way, listening to your community and seeing the results of hard work. They said: “We were both foodies, our home is our biggest test kitchen. We’re always staying up late watching cooking shows and experimenting in our kitchen.
“For anyone who’s thinking about starting their own business, just take the first step and get into the habit of failing forward. As long as you’re moving, you’re getting better and you’re going to get even closer to what it is that you’re trying to do.”
When they began the pop up, they had just had their baby their month before and gone back to full-time work. Currently they work seven days a week to manage their café as well as other work.
After much anticipation and customer demand, they are thrilled to soon to be opening a new space for Break the Fast which will be open full-time at the new Lewisham Gateway.
Pictured top: Sindi and Elie Kayembe (Picture: LB Lewisham)