The shocking fire that torched the iconic Canggu café Milk & Madu down to the ground has not slowed the epic team behind the powerhouse restaurant group – The Good Food Brotherhood. Ondy Sweeting spoke to TGFB’s Paz Fourcard. Photos: Dasha Almazova.
Like a phoenix rebirthed from its own ashes, the café has reappeared in a pop-up form at Good Wood in Berawa. It took only two weeks to transition from cold cinders to serving morning coffee, juice and their famous breakfasts less than a kilometre away from ground zero.
At a time of crisis, PR ninja of the group Paz Fourcard said that everyone gathered their wits and put their best foot forward and they were collectively grateful that no-one was hurt in the fire.
“Material things can be bought and buildings rebuilt but nothing is more important than human life,” said Paz. “So we were just so thankful that everyone was ok. What matters is our families, our team is alive and safe.”
A café business the size and scale of Milk & Madu supports large number of staff and their families. So rather than scale down the team scaled up.
“It was important to us to create an alternative to open as soon as possible. We have a lot of regular guests who love the food and atmosphere. It has become a community more than anything else and we wanted to keep that feeling. Good Wood presented the right elements we needed so it was perfect timing,” says Paz.
Already work is underway on a new Milk & Madu but this one will be built of steel in a minimalist contemporary design that’s different from the one we are used to. Expect a July/August launch date for a bigger and better operation that will have all of the M&M family friendly trimmings and menu that has established the café as a central part of the Canggu community for a long time now.
The new unanticipated project has not put a dent in the dynamic growth of the group, which is also behind Watercress Cafés, Ulekan, Bangkok Hustle and Schmurger Burger.
“We also have a cool healthy food concept called The Common opening in Pantai Berawa. With a new recently opened Bangkok Hustle in Raya Semat, Berawa and Schmurger Burger moving to larger premises on Jalan Pantei Berawa close to the beach. This year will be very exciting for the company, that’s for sure.”
The group has also launched their own coffee company Beans by The Brotherhood, showing their love for good brews and testament to providing the best quality coffee on the island.
With all of that it’s quite certain good things happen with this food family. From flavorsome Asian to healthy Western offerings, there’s really something for everyone.
Keeping their cafe roster interesting and community driven, it’s always fun to watch what they come up with. Looking forward to more cafes by The Good Food Brotherhood. We know it will sure be worth the delicious wait.
Clothes by Cove Island Essentials and Lilya.