Ever since she was a young girl, Renee Byham has been intrigued by food, its preparation and styles of cooking and baking after years of watching her dad, Peter, in the kitchen.
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He was a talented local chef who created wonderful dishes and shared his passion with his daughter.
“I loved watching him prepare dinner every night after working a long day in the kitchen at the Cobram Hospital and would sit up on the bench, asking lots of questions and help when I was allowed,” Renee said.
“Dad worked hard, 10 hours a day, and it appears I have inherited his work ethic!”
After completing school at Cobram High School, Renee, the daughter of Joan and Peter Byham of Barooga, wasn’t certain what she wanted to do with her life.
After she got her first job at Conte’s IGA, she followed with casual work at Duttneals Newsagency, CIF Trading and later a permanent position at Cobram Barooga Golf Club, in the food area, of course!
Later, she found herself working at the Barooga Hotel.
This determined young woman quickly learnt the benefit of working hard, and with careful management of her income was in a financial position to purchase her first home at the age of 19 years.
Renee attended school with Andrew Lincoln in Cobram and the pair went on their first date in 1995.
They have been together ever since.
Today they are the proud parents of three: Cody, 20, studying cybersecurity at Monash University; Sam, 17, a machinist at Vic Engines; and Emily, 15, in Year 10 at Cobram Secondary College.
Renee continued working in the food industry over the years and perhaps the factor that decided her future direction was her time working at Ambience Bakery/Café, owned by Tamara and David Bates, who eventually asked her to manage the business for them.
Would she do it? Absolutely! It seemed like a light-bulb moment, a chance to showcase what she could do, putting forward innovative ideas and skills to grow the business.
In July 2021, Renee and Andrew took ownership of the bakery/café from the Bateses and continued to develop it further over the next four years.
Then discussing numerous ideas about ways to expand the business, they took the plunge and purchased land at 1 Murray St, Cobram, where they designed and built their own premises.
The result today is a stunning, multi-million dollar showpiece that is drawing crowds from outside the district.
What does this mean, today, to the young woman who wasn’t certain until she reached her 40s where her career path would lead, yet understood she had love for and a rare ability to create and produce quality food?
It is the culmination of a long held dream.
“I am now 45 years old and Andrew and I own our own business, and we’re doing what we want,” Renee said.
“We employ a fantastic team of 24 full- and part-time staff, all hand-picked.
“They are loyal and work hard, yet at the same time we have fun and enjoy a happy working environment. Everyone knows their job, and they do it so well.
“They are amazing, and I am proud of them all.”
Renee is up at 4am each morning, opening the café from 5am to 3pm seven days a week during the winter months.
During spring and summer, the days are a little longer.
“I know it is long hours, but walking in of a morning while I am slightly overwhelmed, I am excited, too — to see what the day brings!” Renee said.
“I am happy and wouldn’t change anything.”
Renee’s major roles in the business are the staff, the food, menu and operations, while Andrew is a full-time fitter and turner with BMC Welding.
In what little spare time he has, Andrew looks after administration and maintenance at the totally new Ambience.
Building the spectacular new café did not come without difficulties, with council approval not necessarily being straightforward and several acts of vandalism in the first two months that were costly and disturbing.
However, everything has been overcome, and two alleged offenders have attended court and been charged with property damage and theft.
The response from the public has been overwhelming, including the drive-through for coffee.
To date, Ambience is seeing 500 customers come through the door daily.
Many drive through for their favourite Evolve coffee, which comes from Shepparton, while others drop in for a delicious breakfast, morning tea or special luncheon treat.
Whatever your choice, it’s definitely in line with the best in the region!
Everything is made on the premises and the food is walking out the door.
When Renee arrives in the morning, staff members are wondering what new ideas she has come up with overnight.
What new products has she devised, and is she ready to develop them?
While Renee spends most of each day in the business, she loves to be with her family and cooks for them at night, leaving her with little time for other activities at home.
However, she is the proud owner of five magnificent purebred cats, a Himalayan, ragdoll, Russian blue, Persian and Maine coon who have their own indoor/outdoor protected area, guarded closely by the family’s golden retriever, Bella, and much loved by the entire family.
A glass of red wine or two in an evening after a busy day on her feet is a just reward for this hardworking woman who is living her long-held dream!
“I had always harboured a dream of owning my own place, of creating some wonderful food and being there to see our happy customers! I think we have done that,” Renee said.
Footnote:
Renee and Andrew are extremely generous to the Cobram community and have been involved in many ways over the years, helping those in need and less fortunate, such as the homeless and families doing it tough.
The couple are grateful for what they have and happy to share good nourishing food with those in need on a regular basis.
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