Kynefin’s sprawling verandah welcomes patrons. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Whenever I think of Kynefin cafe, I think of my favourite doughnuts, the stuffed bombolinis that Welsh-born chef and Kynefin owner Geoff Whittall became renowned for across Canberra’s market before he opened his cafe.
And Geoff has just announced he will be offering a one day only bombolini doughnut extravaganza this Mother’s Day!
“I am going to do 20-plus flavours and just sell doughnuts, maybe some other bakes and drinks,” Geoff says.
Of course, there is so much more to Kynefin than its glorious doughnut game.
Get ready for bombolinis on Mother’s Day. Photo: Supplied.
Locals know and love the cafe for its inventive pies and scrumptious Welsh comfort food, including Rarebit and Welsh cakes. Rarebit is a cheese lover’s dream: cheese sauce slathered generously over toasted bread then grilled until molten and bubbly. Welsh cakes are a sweet scone-like morning tea delicacy and Geoff plays with the flavours he serves up.
At Kynefin, the shortbread comes in miniature foil pie tins and in a myriad of flavours. I love the shortbread, crisp and buttery, on its own. But when it comes topped with salted caramel, a smear of chocolate and a Biscoff cookie, it’s elevated to a new high. The lemon shortbread begins with a classic shortbread base, topped with zesty lemon curd and spread with what I think is white chocolate. So very delicious.
You can find toasted buttered house-made crumpets here as well as breakfast staples such as the eggs benny on the seasonal menu.
Geoff imagineers some truly mouthwatering pie fillings: Mediterranean veg with bechamel, chunky steak and ale, pork and cider, and hot jalapeno chicken, just to name a few. The vegan mushroom and barley pie looks hearty and lush.
The vegan mushroom and barley pie provides a scrumptious option. Photo: Supplied.
What I always want from a Kynefin visit is a bombolini – hands down the most incredible doughnut I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve had plenty!
Golden fried, dusted in sugar, it boasts a perfect balance of density, softness and moisture; rich ganache filling spills out decadently from the centre, making every bite irresistible.
Geoff remains the undisputed king of doughnuts and the only place to experience his masterpieces is right here at Kynefin.
We don’t want to pre-empt what flavours will make up the 20 on Mother’s Day but let’s look at some of those that have populated Geoff’s doughnut menu over the years. Classics start with Madagascan vanilla with wild flowers and dark chocolate with shaved chocolate curls. Then there is the Bannoffee, lemon curd, passionfruit and white chocolate, pistachio. Coffee bean custard, strawberries and cream, salted caramel and salted hazelnut caramel; and some deliciously boozy custard fillings too!
While Geoff’s chef skill set and imagination in conjunction with his tastebuds are behind the range of doughnut and pie flavours, he isn’t opposed to delighting us with trending flavours such as the viral Dubai chocolate dessert. He is planning on launching the Dubai doughnut on Mother’s Day.
Geoff’s bombolini doughnut extravaganza begins at 9 am on Mother’s Day, 11 May and ends when the very last doughnut has been sold.
Grab a bag and fill it with the flavours you want! Six doughnuts for $30.
Geoff will also be running an Instagram competition where the winner will win a box of six bombolini doughnuts. Keep your eye out for that!
Kynefin is located at 2/4 Victoria St, in Hall. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, from 8.30 am to 3 pm weekdays and from 8 am weekends. Follow Kynefin on Facebook and Instagram.
