Talking all things coffee with Kunaal Singh
For most of us, coffee is a morning ritual – a stop at our local, a chat with familiar faces and a caffeine hit before getting on with the day. Then there’s Kunaal Singh, whose connection to coffee goes well beyond his morning order.
We first came across Kunaal via his Instagram page @kunsin, where his beautiful photos of Newcastle’s cafes and restaurants caught our eye. It was during our chat that we discovered there was plenty more to his story.
With years of hospitality experience under his belt, Kunaal has become a sought-after member of local cafe teams. He also works as a photographer and coffee consultant, and roasts under his own brand, This is Arlo Coffee.
Intrigued to hear how he went from growing up in Fiji with “zero coffee culture” to finding his place in Newcastle’s coffee scene, we caught up with Kunaal for a chat.
Kunaal Singh
Where did you grow up – Lautoka, Fiji with zero coffee culture.
What brought you to Newcastle – my partner (who is from Newcastle) and I wanted a slower lifestyle for our boys, so we decided to make the move three months after our youngest was born.
For those who know you best, what do they know you for – coffee, photos and eating burgers.
Because you mentioned it, what is your burger hit list – Rascals has picked up their game big time lately, best smash burgers, just plain and simple has to be the Dog House Grill usually found at the markets. Then there's Newy Fried Chicken with their chicken burgers, First Light do a mean double smash. Glebe Rd Takeaway have some of the most nostalgic fish & chip shop burgers, my favourite is the Works Burger, and of course The Falcon and The Ship Inn burgers hit hard - mind you, these are where I frequent for burgers. Anywhere that does a good burger really is for me. I am also a sucker for a good brekky roll.
What was your first job in hospitality –I started right at the very bottom – wiping tables and carting food around in a massive aged care facility.
How were you introduced to the coffee world – I decided that having a normal job wasn't enough so made the mistake of opening a cafe.
Why have you stuck around for so long – the constant evolving nature of hospitality which brings about the endless opportunities to keep learning at the same time sharing knowledge.
What do you love most about the industry – the people – you meet so many from every single walk of life.
It hasn't always been about coffee, what other areas of hospitality have you worked in – pretty much everywhere; front of house, back of house, behind the bar, on the roaster and on the machine. I've also co-owned a couple of venues so I've seen the business side, not just the floor, hosting, training, managing, and consulting.
What keeps you busiest at the moment – our 3 year old boy.
Name three cafes where we're likely to find you – Colour Dot, Autumn Rooms or Bagus in The Junction.
What do you roast with at home? If not your own brand – Arlo Aillio Bullet and 2 x Kaffelogic Nano's.
What's your go-to coffee order, batchy, flat white and espresso - so a tasting board basically.
What does the coffee industry in Newcastle need more of, or could improve on, This, I will answer by pretending we have it good and that small businesses aren't struggling. Newcastle already has an amazing coffee scene, it's tucked away in every corner of the city, and 4 years in I am still discovering amazing little places.
We just need to expose them to the world, or in some cases remind everyone that we're here. Beyond that, I'd love to see more investment in training and more events where baristas, roasters and cafe staff get together and collaborate. If small businesses weren't doing it so tough, they'd have the headspace and the budget to make that happen. The talent has always been here, it just needs room to show what it can do.
A little more about This is Arlo coffee
For Kunaal and his family, This Is Arlo Coffee brings together a love of good coffee and a cause close to their hearts. The brand honours the memory of their son Arlo, with $2 from every bag sold donated to CDH Australia to support families affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
If you’re keen to try Kunaal’s blends, keep an eye on what’s available. He funds the range himself and is a little picky about what makes the cut, so stock is limited.
