Business Spotlight: Bali Spice Magic, Wollongong
At the heart of the job satisfaction for each of the members of the MMJ Commercial Asset Services team, is their daily dealings with businesses and business owners.
“Witnessing the contribution that the tenants we work with make to the fabric and success of our community has always inspired me in my work”, said Head of Commercial Asset Services, Tracy Preston. “It is a delight to see the businesses of tenancies under our management grow and develop”.
Tracy cites Balinese Spice Magic (BSM)on Keira Street Wollongong as one such inspiring business.
Restauranteur Jules Mity, brings the spirit of Bali to the heart of Wollongong, by sharing the magic of traditional Balinese food and spice mixes with her customers. But BSM is not just about creating a great dining experience.
“I still remember first meeting Jules, she was so excited to be taking on her first restaurant space, not just for the opportunity to run a restaurant, but for all the ways in which she could engage with her community. ”
“We strive to create a vibrant, connected community by supporting our local growers, celebrating culture and looking after our environment. We try hard to source our produce from local sources. Our home permaculture garden provides bountiful resources for the restaurant, such as sugar cane, kaffir lime leaves, eggs and greens, supplemented with local produce from the Urban Grown Sustainable Farm in Warrawong run by Green Connect.”
BSM allocate a proportion of their profits to food donations, which is done in conjunction with local charities like the Homeless Hub, Kind Hearts and Women Illawarra.
Each week, Jules rallies her staff and volunteers and does a cook up for the homeless community, using produce that might otherwise go to landfill and every few months, BSM hosts a Mesangkepan (Balinese for ’get together’) dinner. All food, wages and time donated for these events are donated by Jules, so that all the proceeds of the evening can go directly to local charities and organisations.
In March 2023, Jules Mitry was announced as Wollongong’s Local Woman of the Year by Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP.
“Using local produce from local providers, employing staff from the local area and creating a family environment in the restaurant, and using all of that to be able to give back to the community in such a meaningful way, is why it is fitting that Jules has been named the 2023 Wollongong Local Woman of the Year.”
To experience Balinese Spice Magic or a Mesangkepan for yourself, visit http://balinesespicemagic.com.au/
