When Stew first came to Key Community Group, he had already tried to become a chef twice. Both experiences had ended badly.
During his first apprenticeship, Stew experienced bullying and verbal abuse. When he tried again, things didn’t improve. Instead of learning from experienced chefs, he was left alone to manage orders without guidance or support.
Eventually, the experience became too much. Stew walked away from the industry he loved.
At the same time, he was managing depression and circulatory health issues, making the thought of returning to a fast-paced kitchen even more daunting. But there was one thing Stew never lost – his love of cooking. When Stew began working with Key, his Employment Consultant Tracey didn’t rush him back into another apprenticeship. Instead, they focused on rebuilding his confidence and finding the right environment where Stew could feel supported.
That opportunity came at Key Café; our social enterprise café in Coffs Harbour. Key Café was created to provide real employment opportunities for people who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional employers. For many of our participants, it’s a chance to gain skills, confidence and experience in a supportive workplace. For Key Community Group, it’s also been a learning curve. After more than 30 years supporting people into employment, running our own hospitality business has given us a new perspective.
As CEO Jodi Wood explains:
“For years we’ve worked with hospitality employers and talked about inclusive employment. But running Key Café means we’re now on the other side; we are the employer. And it’s hard. Hospitality is fast-paced, unpredictable, and reliability matters. We’ve had casual staff who don’t show up, people who realise the job isn’t the right fit, and days where it feels exhausting.”
But then there are people like Stew. Stew started at Key Café with casual hours as a kitchen hand, easing back into the kitchen environment without the pressure he had experienced before.
From the very beginning, Stew stood out. He was reliable, flexible, and always willing to help wherever he was needed. In an industry where consistency is everything, Stew quickly became someone the team could count on.
He also takes pride in the small things. “Stew remembers that I love extra chilli on my food,” Jodi laughs. “Every time he makes something for me, the chilli is there. It’s those little moments that show how much he cares about what he does.”
As Stew’s confidence returned, he began taking on more responsibility in the kitchen. With the guidance of Head Chef Jordy, he continued to build his skills and settle back into the pace of a working kitchen.
At the same time, his employment consultant Tracey continued to support Stew, checking in regularly and helping him plan the next step in his career. Before long, the conversation about finishing his qualification started again. This time, Stew felt ready.
Today, Stew is working at Key Café while completing his Commercial Cookery apprenticeship, attending TAFE one day a week and building his skills alongside the team. The change in him has been remarkable. His confidence has grown, his resilience has strengthened, and he has found a workplace where he feels respected and valued.
In Stew’s own words: “I’m ready. I feel good being a part of this team.”
For Key Community Group, Stew’s journey is a reminder of why Key Café exists. It’s not just about great coffee and good food. It’s about creating real workplaces where people can rebuild confidence, learn new skills, and find their place in a team. Running a café has shown us just how much reliability, pride and care matter in hospitality. Stew brings all of that every day.
Visit Key Café
Key Café is located at Key Community Group’s head office on West High Street in Coffs Harbour. Every coffee, every meal, and every visit helps create meaningful employment opportunities for people working to rebuild their confidence and careers.
And if you’re lucky, Stew might even be the one in the kitchen — making sure the chilli is just right.
