By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
MANY Geelong coffee connoisseurs would recall the halcyon days of the Kit Kat Restaurant.
The venue was the first to serve espressos on one of the original coffee machines imported to Geelong in 1957 from Italy.
The same machine is in great knick and still creating marvellous brews for Moolap’s The Coffee Man, George Alem.
George’s parents, Michael and Su, were part of the 1950s Geelong coffee culture, with around 20 caf¨¦s all serving espressos or cappuccinos piled high with milky froth.
Names like the Rio, Nevada Felino’s and Phoenix were all well-known, along with the Kit Kat on the corner of Lt Malop and McCann Sts.
“I bought the coffee machine from the Kit Kat from Jamel Muhor who runs the Lord Nelson and Fishbowl and who worked at the Kit Kat in the ’50s,” George said.
“He bought the machine from Kit Kat owner Loui Felafel when they put in a bigger machine in about 1960.
“People used to line the footpath in an orderly line at the Kit Kat with coffee cups and saucers in hand waiting to get a coffee.
“The caf¨¦ didn’t have enough cups and saucers to cope with the crowds.”
The retro machine will be on display along with many others from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s at Coffee and Tea (CAT) Splash next month.
CAT Splash is Geelong’s answer to Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE).
The Geelong event will include an Australian Specialty Coffee Association regional barista competition.
Run in conjunction with the Independent-sponsored Golden Plate Awards, the winner of barista competition will go on to compete at state and possibly national level.
The event will also feature a tea master class and Chinese tea ceremony, a coffee workshop, pour-over and roasting demos, coffee, wine and cheese pairing, a Mad Hatters Tea Party, tastings, an Espresso Martini bar and a street art competition.
Regional Victoria’s largest display of retro coffee machines will be complemented by an array of original 1930s coffee posters from Italy.
CAT Splash runs from 11am on 19 October at Henderson’s Factory, Corio Quay Rd, North Geelong.
Tickets cost $15 from Geelong Performing Arts Centre.
