By Vivienne Pearson
Once upon a time, there was a baby named Bonnie and another baby named Dot. Around the same time, a teardrop caravan was made, likely by hand, from plans outlined in a magazine, on the chassis of a 1926 Austin 10.
Some 80-odd years later, when the babies were all grown up, their grandchildren met and married before buying the caravan. In homage to their grandmothers, they called the caravan Little Bonnie Dot.
In the intervening years, the caravan had been renovated as a coffee van, meaning that Jade Morecom-Phoenix and Michael Coy had little work to do before launching their venture; a vintage high tea and catering business.
‘I had this collection of vintage fine china so it all fell into place,’ says Jade. ‘I now have enough tea cups and plates to serve 90 people; it’s so much fun.’
Little Bonnie Dot used to do markets but the focus now is on private events. ‘We did some beautiful weddings and parties and decided that that’s what we wanted to do,’ says Jade.
Jade and Michael are Mix Catering & Consulting, the business that runs the restaurant at the Court House Hotel in Mullumbimby. This allows Little Bonnie Dot to provide any level of catering from cakes or a dessert bar to canapes and full catering. They use coffee roasted by Mullum roastery The Branches. The setup options, including bunting, umbrellas, and vintage dressers mean they can be versatile. ‘We can set up pretty much anywhere,’ says Jade.
The van is soon to be joined by a 1966 Valiant ute. Lovingly renovated by Michael and his father, the ute will be a perfect companion to Little Bonnie Dot.
After catching the attention of Lonely Planet, the van will feature in the upcoming book Around the World in 80 Food Trucks, available this March.
The grandmothers, Bonnie and Dot, are totally taken with their namesake. ‘My grandmother, Bonnie, has only seen it in photos but we did some markets across the road from Michael’s grandmother Dot’s house,’ says Jade. ‘They love it.’
And, if you are planning an event, you will too.
Little Bonnie Dot is available for functions and events. See www.littlebonniedot.com or Instagram @little.bonnie.dot or phone 0448 114 504.
