Seattle at Valencia | Jorika van Huyssteen shares her dream
Jorika van Huyssteen runs the Seattle coffee shop at Valencia Wholesalers and shared some of her passions, good coffee and other things that make her tick.
By Benno Stander
Jorika has worn many hats in her life but came to a crossroad where she had the choice to stick around, or move on to greater things. “I believe you have to delve into your bucket of talents and explore everything in order to have a full life. If you only stick to one or two things then you’ll always feel that there is something missing,” she explains.
2013 was a year of big moves for her and not only did she change jobs, but also made big changes in terms of her personal and spiritual life. “If I had to try and visually explain the past year in one image I would say it resembled popcorn popping. Every little idea seed inside me popped open and took me off in a direction,” she laughs.
Jorika has lots of experience in the flower industry, art, cooking and business, to name a few. She admits that many people think that she is a bit all over the place but she feels it has all come together for her now.
“Running Seattle allows me to bring all my talents and experiences together and combine them to create something new. All the loose ends of my life, the Safari cooking, the flower arranging, catering, all the previous experiences are now contributing and the new ideas just keep popping up in my head. It is almost like I have now moved over to the lighter side and often joke with people by saying that all our foods are calorie free since there is no place for calories with all the happiness we pack in.”
…all our foods are calorie free since there is no place for calories with all the happiness we pack in.
According to her Seattle is more than just a coffee shop that sells quirky dishes. “I am getting involved with a number of charitable organisations and plan regular events to support various groups. Some people need financial assistance while others just come for a bit of company but it is quite amazing how many feet come through this centre in a day.
The coffee shop used to be part of the Seattle Coffee Company but when it moved to the stylish new location at Valencia Wholesalers it became privately owned. “We did however keep the name since we still stock the exact same high quality coffee as the popular Franchise. You still can’t find the same quality imported coffee beans anywhere else in Nelspruit.”
As far as the menu goes Jorika put her own unique twist on it and apart from the very popular quiche that is prepared fresh daily, she also has the town talking with her Asian Boerie. This uptown twist on the traditional boerie roll packs a delicious piece of halal chilli boerewors with rocket, feta and sweet mustard.
All items sold at Seattle are halal and there are also several gluten free options available. “Here again I draw on my experience as cook at Kings Camp where I often had to cook for guests with food allergies and Coeliac disease. There are so many people who suffer from such conditions and there are very few places that cater for them.”
Jorika’s imagination stretches much further than food though and she is also involved in projects that allow people to sell unique and trendy items on the shop veranda on Saturdays.
We don’t fiddle around with doilies though and rather look for interesting and unique items.
The idea I have for this is like the market at Green Point in the Cape. It’s one of those places where you find exactly what you were looking for without knowing that you were looking for it. And it’s always buzzing with activity.”
Talk to us:
Call 013-752-7005
Mail jorikavh@nstps.co.za
Open weekdays 09h00 – 16h00, Saturdays 09h00 – 13h00, closed on Sundays.