Anyone who has been to Busy Bee Café in Moss Vale knows that the food and coffee are absolutely divine!
Owners Phoenix and Steve are total foodies and it definitely shows.
We recently popped in for a bite to eat and a chat with Phoenix about their journey and how they ended up in the Highlands. And of course, we left with full tummies and big smiles, not just from getting to know Phoenix, but from the total deliciousness we had just devoured.
Have a read of our chat here!
1 // Hi Phoenix, how did you and your husband Steve find yourselves in the Southern Highlands?
After graduating from cookery school in Sydney, Steve needed sponsorship to gain permanent residency in Australia.
Steve was offered opportunities in a few different areas. One of them was at the Shaggy Cow in Mittagong. We came down to check it out during Spring 2017, and it was beautiful!
Living in Sydney, you don’t really get to experience the four seasons like you do here. The Highlands are so distinct, and as soon as we arrived, I told Steve, “If they offer you the job, this is it. We won’t even look at the other opportunities, haha.”
We fell totally in love.
2 // Tell us how you both came to be in hospitality?
Steve grew up in Korea and studied law, but food was always his passion. He loved to travel and try new dishes, and eventually decided to pursue a career in cooking. That’s what brought him to Australia to study commercial cookery, and that’s how we met.
I grew up in Guangdong, China, which is famous for its Cantonese cuisine. It’s a real foodie destination. Later, I studied in the UK, where I missed strong flavours so much. Then I moved to Australia, and I was blown away by how amazing the food scene is here.
Both Steve and I worked in various hospitality jobs learning so much along the way.
Steve has worked in some pretty impressive kitchens, including a Michelin Star restaurant. He also trained under some talented chefs [one of which includes a winner of Master Chef UK].
We always knew we wanted to start our own business one day.
3 // And how did you come to open Busy Bee?
We originally planned to open a café in 2020, but the pandemic put those plans on hold.
Then, one day, I was having breakfast at Rush Roasting with my mum, and I noticed a barista course going on. I asked the owner, Baden, about it, and instead of joining the class, I ended up working there! It was the best way to learn.
One day, I told Baden about my dream of opening my own shop, and he suggested I take over their Moss Vale location. I thought, why not? From buying breakfast to owning a business… it was a bit of a whirlwind! We opened Busy Bee in February 2024.
4 // How has it been since opening?
At first, some customers were surprised by the change, but now they love it. We’ve built a loyal group of regulars plus lots of new customers who all make our days so special. We love the friendly atmosphere here, it really feels like family.
5 // What’s the story behind your menu?
Our menu combines our cultural backgrounds with familiar dishes, which gets people trying new things while still feeling comfortable.
For example, our smashed avocado, which is really popular, isn’t just your standard avo on toast. We make our own pistachio dukkah, and our zucchini chips are hand-sliced and dehydrated for nine hours. It’s all about care and love.
Steve is so passionate about food. Even when he’s not working, he’s reading or watching videos about recipes and techniques. We plan our holidays around food and spend most of our time talking about it!
6 // That passion totally shows in every dish! What do you love most about owning and running Busy Bee?
We’re proud of the many ways we show our customers we care, whether it’s through exciting new dishes or creating a welcoming space.
With Steve’s creativity in the kitchen and our passion for hospitality, we’re excited to see where this journey takes us!
7 // We are too! What do you love most about living in the Highlands?
The seasons are such a joy.
I love Autumn, the changing leaves remind me how lucky I am to live here. Springtime is another favourite because my garden blooms with roses and hydrangeas.
The people here are incredible too. Locals are so friendly and willing to lend a hand. We’ve even had customers pay for each other’s orders just out of kindness. It’s so touching.
When we’re not at the café, we love going bushwalking and stargazing at Mount Gibraltar. It’s such a wonderful way to unwind.
Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Phoenix.
It’s been a pleasure hearing your story and enjoying the yummy food on your menu.
Our only regret is not having room for another dish!
We’ll definitely be back again soon.
If you’re after a tasty meal and a great cuppa, make your way to Busy Bee in Moss Vale. They’re open six days a week, for all your munchin’ needs.
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