The Allouche family “young guns” of the Cronulla restaurant scene can’t wait to build a business from the ground up.
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Marc, Nathan, Blake and Adam followed in the footsteps of their fathers Claude and David when they took over running Sealevel at North Cronulla.
But, when they take possession of adjoining Alley Break cafe on July 3, it will be their chance to show what they can do on their own.
The cafe will undergo major renovations before reopening as Next Door in September.
Claude and David Allouche have been well known to restaurant-goers since they opened Allouches on Princes Highway, Sylvania, more than 35 years ago.
Their other businesses have included Feathers at Kirrawee, Beachside Brasserie beneath the Cecil Apartments at Cronula, Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking restaurant and Allouches Cafe & Eatery in Cronulla Street, Cronulla.
Marc and Nathan, Sealevel’s head chef, are Claude’s sons, and Blake and Adam are David’s sons.
”There are five kids on my side of the family and four on Dave’s side, but only four of us were stupid enough to go into the restaurant business,” Marc joked.
“We have our moments, but we are all pretty easy going and get along well.
”Our fathers say they are retired, but they still come in on Fridays and Saturdays to give us a hand.
“They come in now because they want to, not because they have to.
“It’s good to have them involved, because a lot of customers have known them for more than 35 years.
“Other family members also help at times.”
As for the new challenge, “We are very excited to spread our wings”. Marc said.
“It will be something where we start from scratch, rather than taking over from our fathers.
”We will have an all-day menu, with breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
”It will have a cheaper price point [than Sealevel] but it will allow us to do more cafe style food.”
