VanillaFood in (almost) 7 years

The VanillaFood flagship cafe store front.

VanillaFood started as a wholesale cake business back in 2012, supplying Sunshine Coast cafés and clients. It slowly grew to what it is today – an icon for sustainable, organic and wholesome food. The first café opened in 2014 in the industrial area of Noosaville and after a busy few years, the flagship café opened in Noosa Heads.

The original café within Belmondos Organic Market grew over the years; a seasonal breakfast menu was added, a smoothie bar was built and recipes changed and evolved. Organic produce became a priority sourcing from local markets and suppliers. Regular customers came for their take away lunches and sweet potato muffins. Take home tarts, lasagnes and cakes became popular and in winter vegan soup was available.

The girls at the smoothie bar at Belmondos Organic Market.

Nilla has been using local and Australian renown photographers for advertising, website content and social media. @gypsystone, @theedibleimage and @lumeaphoto are among Nilla’s favourite food photographers. VanillaFood has also fed some famous Australians and influencers. Twins Ellie of @elsaswholesomelife and Lauren @gypsea_lust, Elyse Knowles, Mark Webber and Sail O’Neil of The Fit Foodie (among others).

Nilla has travelled throughout Australia and to numerous countries in search of inspiration and new recipes. Her first home, Denmark always inspires her. Fresh berries and foraged mushrooms, are some of Nilla’s favourite ingredients and can be found within the VF menus. A West Australia trip to the wineries of Margaret River saw Cullen’s wine featuring on the small beverage menu. Morocco was a wonderful trip with friends, Chloe and Jack from CLO Studies, where they ate their way through the souks of Marrakech. Nilla and her family also travelled Mexico and enjoyed tacos and all the traditional Mexican flavours.

Eating Tagine in the loft of a rug shop in Marrakech.

Scopello, Sicily. On a family holiday back in 2018. So much recipe inspiration came from this trip.

“Greece and Italy are always inspiring,”

says Nilla, some of her favourite foods come from these countries. She’s planning on travelling to Europe once borders open to visit family.

Enjoying simple pizza and green salads at local roadside restaurants in Rome.

At the end of 2018 the flagship café opened with a brand new team. Another Christmas with wholesale orders from the Belmondos kitchen and the opening of the new cafe saw everyone busy. The VF Christmas Cake has been made every year since opening, never making enough and having to cook up second and third batches annually.

Locals and people from a far have been able to purchase VF merchandise; tote bags, plastic-free straws and ceramics. As well as the famous VanillaFood Granola- delicious with yoghurt, smoothie bowls and as a snack. Gift vouchers were made and became popular gifts for VF enthusiasts around Australia.

The archway to CLO Studios made for a hundreds of photos being posted to Instagram. The beautiful space, allows for customers to wander through the interior design showroom whilst they wait for a table or their take aways.

VanillaFood hosted evening events; including a Greek night back in 2019 and a canapés event with live music. VF catered for the Noosa Eat and Drink Festival, two Women by AR events, a Laneway Party, numerous health retreats and more.

The Champagne and Canapes event at VF.

Covid-19 pushed Nilla into finally publishing VanillaFood the Cookbook, 10 years in the making. With copies sold all around the world and numerous book signings, it was definitely the right time. New and old VF fans can now cook their favourite recipes at home.

Nilla and her beautiful book, VanillaFood the Cookbook.

Click here for the link to purchase. Nilla also has something in the works for 2022. She says,

“We will see something new for VanillaFood, something I’m very excited about and can’t wait to share. It’s still very new but I’m hoping it will be ready in 2022. I think you will all love it as much as I do.”

Stay updated on @vanillafood for Nilla’s big news.