Brownies & Downies

In 2016 a very special restaurant opened up in the heart of Cape Town, that would embrace the lives of many people forever. Have you ever wondered what people with varying disabilities do when they grow up? Or what sorts of jobs are available to someone with a disability? Perhaps those thoughts have never crossed your mind until now.Brownies & Downies is a non-profit restaurant that doubles as a training center for people with challenges. The restaurant was started by Netherlands social worker, Wendy Vermeulen, after noticing a gap in the market, for training and employment facilities for people with disabilities. It is no surprise that this restaurant makes the most delicious brownies (as “brownies is literally the first word in the name), and the best part is that they are all gluten-free.  The concept of this restaurant is very personal to me and something I am passionate about as one of my oldest and closest friends, Takara, works there as a waitress and a support to the other kids.

My visits to Brownies & Downieshave never been disappointing. The ambiance is happy and relaxed, the staff are so warm and welcoming, and the food is delicious. As someone who is always looking for gluten-free treats, Brownies & Downies is definitely a favorite spot of mine. Their wide choice of decadent brownies will leave you satisfied and more often than not, you will find yourself buying their mixed brownie box (R120) to take home with you for a treat later. Their brownie prices are extremely reasonable especially considering they are gluten-free. My personal favorite, the classic chocolate brownies, cost as little as R29.00. This goes down perfectly with a delicious cup of Truth coffee costing R24.00.

Takara (28 years old): “labeling is disabling”, how right she is. The serving staff are from all walks of life, with varying challenges from Down syndrome, Fetal alcohol syndrome and Autism which encompasses a wide range of Autism spectrum disorders. 

Takara has worked at Brownies & Downiesfor 2 years now. Takara said, “I love working in the restaurant, I have learnt so many skills such as how to use the industrial coffee machine after going on a coffee training course with Truth coffee. I sometimes work in the kitchen and mainly do front of house.” Takara works 3 times a week which is the “average amount” of shifts each waiter works per week, and she lends a hand to those that need help. She said it gives her purposes and she loves meeting new people. 

As Brownies & Downiesis a non-profit organisation, the employees do not earn a basic salary or wage, unlike their counterpart in Holland. Instead the tips are pooled together and are split equally at the end of each week. Takara told me that she earns on average “R100-R150.00 a week”. It is fantastic she is learning new skills and has a routine job 3 times a week, although she indicated she would love to earn a salary.

After asking Takara what she found the most challenging about working in a restaurant, she responded:, “the customers make it worthwhile and we have our regulars, walk-ins, tourists and of course those who forget why they are here. This can be a bit frustrating, because they know they are at a place that supports kids with disabilities. I think they just forget.’ Personally I think that Takara is right and that customers should know that this restaurant is there to empower and train people with disabilities. I have never experienced poor or slow service at Brownies & Downies, in fact I am always left feeling very impressed with the entire experience. In case anyone thinks my opinion is biased because I am friends with one of the waitresses, Tao Varty confirmed that he found the experience “professional” and “efficient”.

According to Cape Talk, when Brownies & Downiesfirst opened in Cape Town the name sparked controversy, with some saying it was completely inappropriate. I was curious to see how Takara felt and she said, “some parents are always going to think there’s a problem with it because they think they are trying to diss the kids, but it’s not like that at all, it’s a very beautiful concept and everyone likes it”.

According to the Brownies & Downies website, Wendy’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with mental disabilities as well as to break the stigma in South Africa around mental disabilities and create acceptance of these individuals into society. The organization is there to train people with disabilities, “mainly down syndrome, autism, fetalalcohol syndrome and brain damage, so it’s a lot of different mixtures but basically our boss Wendy moved here from Holland and with help from her father she opened up this business. The reason is that it trains these kids so one day if they have a job of their own they are prepared in how to handle problems” said Takara.

The original concept of Brownies & Downieswas first introduced in Veghel, Netherlands in 2010 when two friends realized their calling to help people with intellectual disabilities. Since then almost 30 stores have opened in the Netherlands and on 8 February 2016, the South African branch opened in the Mother City. 

Takara’s mom said:, “ SHOUT OUT to all mothers who travel far and wide daily, spending time and money to get their children to work and give them purpose with a hope that ultimately they will be able to find employment and eventually support themselves”. She then went on to inform me that that the only organisations that have stepped forward to help employ some of these kids are Checkers, Shoprite, Builders Warehouse, Pick n Pay and MarryPack. Hats off to you all! ANY MORE TAKERS?

Brownies & Downies is open Monday – Friday from 6:30 until 16:00. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough, good coffee, great service and the best brownies in town. 

BROWNIES & DOWNIES

Reference list

Brownies & DownieS. (2019). Home. [online] Available at: http://browniesdownies.co.za [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].CapeTalk. (2016). Brownies and Downies, ‘utterly inappropriate’. [online] Available at: http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/11422/brownies-and-downies-utterly-inappropriate [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].