CBRfoodie

Meet a #Canberra Foodie – Paul Drake

Posted on February 17, 2015 Updated on February 17, 2015

It’s been a while since I added to the list of awesome Canberra Foodies who have graced this website over the past 12 months. It was a great adventure meeting them all last year so I’m determined to start again and hope to share at least one interview a month.

Today’s entertaining interview is with a rare man who as well as being an amazing husband ((I’m told) and musician, also publicly and proudly embraces a very long-standing passion for food and wine. Sorry ladies he’s already taken! I first met Paul through his lovely better half but unlike her his professional passions lie away from public communications. Paul Drake is the part-owner and Manager of the hidden Gem Plumb on Tennant (which I checked out for lunch last year in this earlier post). I’m not the only one who thinks this place is a hidden gem – check out Tara’s review here.

So Paul, who are you? I’m a long time Canberra boy who arrived here as a ten pound pom in 1967. My passion has always been food really, and good wine, but I’m a trained carpenter/ builder and can do most things hospitality related. I never really wanted to be anywhere but Canberra but I guess the clincher was when I met my wife Angie and we decided to make our lives here together. We now have two teenage boys and a spotty dog and my first foray into business was finding my business partner Rob and buying our first cafe Plumb on Tennant in Fyshwick back in 2011. Owning a cafe has been an interesting experience. I can’t say that we’ve done everything perfect but we put love and passion into what we do. It’s hard work and I can say that we’ve only just begun in cafe world, with many more ventures ahead of us I’m sure.

Age?  48, but don’t feel a day over 47!

Where do you live?  Fadden

How long have you been blogging?  I don’t. Well perhaps if I did blog, more people would know about our cafe. <That’s OK Paul, we’ll try and let them know!>

Other hobbies?  I love ironing (my wife is editing this for me) I play bass in a band Kartel – probably my other serious passion, we have fun and play a few gigs every month or so.

Here is evidence of Paul’s musical talent!

Apple or Android?  Apple

Car/bus/bike?  Love to ride my bicycle but I’m petrified of magpies. It’s grown more irrational every year.

<You’re not alone on that front!>

Favourite TV show?   There are many – Peaky Blinders is prob my fav right now.

Favourite devices?  I’m old fashioned, still on an iPad but it’s the first ever edition so it’s kind of retro now (are they still trendy?)

Can we take a peek at your home screen?

Most-used app?  the afl game score app, and Iview

Favourite social media?   Facebook <Paul runs a small business so he is extremely busy, without much time for social media, but you can find Plumb on Tennant on Facebook here>

What’s the first thing online you check each morning?  Facebook

What do you worry about at night?  There is a lot at the moment – have been working on getting mum secured in a new aged care facility so she can be properly looked after and will Hawks win the grand final.

Most exciting recent news?   We went on our first cruise at Christmas!

Ideal career? Something involving early retirement and travelling a lot

Here is a picture of Paul as he is about to dine at la jules vern restaurant in Paris

Recent book you recommend?  The adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow

Recent online video you laughed at?  ALS ice bucket challenge by Les Claypool  http://youtu.be/Tjd_hLtaQxA

Favourite food 🙂   Bacon bits (from Pizza Hut of old are the best), grated cheese and thousand island dressing.

Do yourself a favour and try out Plumb on Tennant for breakfast or lunch (or brunch) next time you’re in Fyshwick – you won’t be disappointed!

You can find Plumb on Tennant via their website of via Urban Pantry.