After cooking across various countries, Tong Wu (Eric) opened Lily Eatery to connect customers with amazing and developed flavours. Working alongside devoted barista Sandesh Gurung, Lily Eatery serves perfectly brewed cups of coffee while forming relationships within its community.
Wu’s background in hospitality formed his passion for creating memorable experiences through people, using coffee as the medium.
“Coffee has the unique ability to bring people together, which attracted me to the industry,” expressed Wu.
“I was drawn to the rich culture, artistry, and the opportunity to provide exceptional experiences through coffee.”
Seeing the joy on a customer's face is the most rewarding part of Wu's experience, especially after perfecting his craft and balancing the flavours in each brew.
“It should be freshly toasted, properly brewed, and made with high-quality beans sourced from sustainable and ethical sources,” said Wu.
The power of coffee within a community is strong. It can be used as a quick pick-me-up, a drink to bond over, or a good excuse to catch up with an old friend. Wu believes coffee has the ability to connect communities.
“I believe that coffee has the power to create moments of connection and bring people together from all walks of life,” remarked Wu.
Working tirelessly as a team, Wu and Gurang meet the ever-changing needs of there community to ensure that customers leave happy and full-handed.
“Engaging with customers is easily one of the best parts of the job, as is getting to know the regulars and encountering new people,” said Gurung.
The sense of community within the store is strong, with a polaroid photo wall being dedicated to the dogs and people who have visited the store.
“As a cafe owner, I’m dedicated to fostering a welcoming and relaxing environment where everyone can feel at home,” added Wu.
To unwind, Wu relaxes in the kitchen, playing around with new flavour combinations he could add to the cabinet. His well-developed pallet is seen through his wide variety of tarts and savouries offered at Lily Eatery, ranging from house crumpets to ricotta dumplings.
