Support The Kitchen Tootgarook damaged in fire

Our good mates at the Kitchen Tootgarook would be forgiven for thinking that the world was out to get them. After finally getting back to business after two years in and out of lockdown, Bob Coley got a call from the CFA.

Late on the evening of Tuesday 23rd November at around 11:30pm reports of a fire inside the building were made to 000. The CFA arrived quickly on the scene and managed to save the building, but not before considerable damage was done to the venue.

The fire appears to have started due to an electrical fault in one of the bar fridges before spreading throughout the restaurant. Thankfully it was empty at the time and nobody was injured. Unfortunately the damage will force Bob and the Kitchen team to close the venue for an extended period of time.

Anyone who knows Bob knows that he has the biggest heart and is so generous to his employees and customers. He has cared for, served and stood by the Tootgarook community throughout the COVID period but now it's time for his community to stand by him and his team. It has been difficult enough to survive as a small business during this period, let alone being forced to close for weeks and potentially months just as dine in restrictions eased for. Bob and the team hope to be up and running before Christmas holidays but it's going to be a tough road back.

We know that Bob and his team will demonstrate the incredible resilience they are famous for, but we're asking for the folks of the Mornington Peninsula to rally around one of their own and raise $10,000 to help support Bob and his team as they navigate an incredibly challenging next few weeks. We'd also encourage everyone to head round the corner to their sister store, The Hidden Kitchen , and keep supporting the Kitchen family.

This fundraiser was established by Commonfolk Coffee Company who have been partnering with The Kitchen for many years as their coffee supplier.