Regulars farewell Best Cafe's Mabel

By Elspeth McLean on Sat, 23 Jan 2010
News: Dunedin

District Court judge Stephen O'Driscoll with Dunedin Best Cafe owner Mabel McCormick at a special gathering yesterday to mark her impending departure from the business after almost 25 years. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
District Court judge Stephen O'Driscoll with Dunedin Best Cafe owner Mabel McCormick at a special gathering yesterday to mark her impending departure from the business after almost 25 years. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Business was brisk at Dunedin's Best Cafe yesterday afternoon as about 50 regulars, rounded up by District Court Judge Stephen O'Driscoll, gathered for an early farewell to restaurateur Mabel McCormick, who has sold the Stuart St business after almost 25 years.

It did not mean the afternoon off for Mrs McCormick (65), however.

She was hard at work in the kitchen, as usual, only stopping to receive accolades once her wellwishers were replete.

Judge O'Driscoll said while Mrs McCormick had been initially reluctant to take part in the celebration, he felt it was important to mark the longevity of her business, which had survived both the sharemarket crash and the recession.

The fact she had many regulars who kept returning for their favourite meals of blue cod, oysters or whitebait was a testament to the service she provided, he said.

Judge O'Driscoll admitted his favourite was blue cod with two eggs.

Mrs McCormick, who received a bouquet from landlord and customer, Allied Press business manager Nick Smith, said she felt honoured.

She had been in the business since 1986 and the time had gone "really fast".

Her customers, who came from all walks of life, had "always been nice".

Only once had someone not paid.

"When I chased them up, they didn't like it and they never came back."

Famous customers had included All Black teams and the late yachtsman Sir Peter Blake.

In the early years, the cafe, which has a reputation for fish served in an unpretentious way, provided meals for juries from the courthouse across the road.

Mrs McCormick said the cafe had become known worldwide.

She considered one of the reasons for its popularity was that diners could be "in and out in half an hour with tea and coffee".

People were also drawn to the cafe's seasonal offerings such as whitebait and oysters.

New owners Susannah and Marc Yeoman, also on kitchen duty yesterday, were quick to assure the regulars they would not be changing the menu.

Meals would still be served with white bread and "butter curls", Mrs Yeoman said.

Mr Yeoman (41), who made his mark as the youngest Pizza Hut manager in the country at the age of 19, has spent the last 10 years as the Dunedin Casino gaming manager.

He said yesterday afternoon had been a baptism by fire, but he was looking forward to officially taking over the business next month.

Mrs McCormick said she would be back to help in the oyster season.

In the meantime, she hoped to have more time to play bowls.

- elspeth.mclean@odt.co.nz