Tim Rasheed reckons customer service is the key to a successful business. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Who are you?
Tim Rasheed, owner of the Page Bottler.
Tell me about the Page Bottler.
It’s an almost 11-year-old shop we created from the ground up. There’s massive focus on local products, particularly beer, and we’re independently owned. Interesting, fun things that get people excited.
How did you get involved in the beverage industry?
I’ve always been in retail. Straight out of college I got a part-time job at a little independent supermarket at Gungahlin. Then I got a job at one of the big box liquor retailers in Canberra and worked my way up to be a store manager there and did that for about seven years. And then an opportunity came up here: I’m really good friends with Bri who owns the hair salon here at Page who told me there was a vacancy. Within a week I’d signed the lease and we started putting shelves together! I have a couple of fantastic business partners who own a share in the shop who really helped me out, it’s been a team effort.
I always knew that if it didn’t work out I could go back to my old employer with my tail between my legs but fortunately I haven’t needed to do that!
If you weren’t in hospitality, what would you be doing instead?
I’m constantly told I should be doing male modelling! I’ve always been a big sports nut, so I would have loved to be a PGA tour golfer. But anyone who has seen me play golf knows that was never an option!
The Page Bottler is a specialist in local craft beers. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
What is your drinks philosophy?
You want to be trying different flavours and matching different things with different foods. Beer is a lot like wine, you can find different beers for food pairing. As long as you’re drinking Australian independently owned beer, just keep mixing it up and trying different things.
What is your signature dish at home?
My wife and daughter like my mild lamb curry which has been pretty popular. I’d match that with anything dry like a lager or even a dark lager. In the warmer months I like to make a sticky barbecue pork bao. I’d pair that with something with hops in it like a pale ale or IPA.
What’s an underrated Canberra venue you love?
Le Cheeserie at the Belconnen Markets. I spend far too much money every time I go there! I love the idea of what they’ve got, I think it’s actually a bit similar to what we do. First and foremost customer service, and a great mix of imported and Australian cheeses.
Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?
There are so many! But I’ve got to shout out my old mate Tom Reiby who used to own 54 Benjamin and now owns the Kambah Inn which he has transformed! I’ve known him since we were kids. He works really hard, he surrounds himself with good people and trains his team well. Everywhere he goes he seems to really nail good food, good drinks and good service at a good price.
I will also shout out my business partners Joe and Mark at CLB Capital Liquor and Bev: they’re wholesalers. They’re really good relationship guys and pride themselves on customer service.
Kaitlin Towner and Alex Royds are the faces of Le Cheeserie. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Where do you like to go for a coffee?
During the week I go to Bunny Beans at Kippax. They make really nice coffee. And on weekends I like to walk up to BZ Burger at Holt and treat myself there.
Where do you like to go for a drink?
If I want an Old Fashioned I really like Molly. But for a beer I’d have to say To All My Friends in Cook or Herbert’s at Evatt.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
Louis Theroux, the documentary film maker. I’ve probably watched every documentary he’s ever done. It’s such a super interesting thing to have so many great stories and I really like the way he approaches conversations.
I’d probably have to make him my pork bao. They’re nice and easy so that would give us a bit of extra time to sit and converse over a couple of nice beers.
Dino curates the craft beers at Herbert’s. Photo: Tenele Conway.
What is your current beer obsession?
Right now it’s dark lagers. They’re lower alcohol so you can have a couple and not feel like you’re going to keel over. There are so many good ones out there and it just really works for me in the colder months. I’m constantly on the look out for new ones to fill the shelves, and take a few home to sample!
What’s the best thing you ate this week?
I’ll give my wife Katrina a shoutout: she made a beautiful lemon pasta from Adam Liaw’s cookbook. Really simple but absolutely delicious. We’re big fans of his, we generally watch the Cook Up if we can stay awake! I’ve got a couple of his cookbooks, they’re really easy to follow and they always turn out great.
What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?
Anytime I taste or even just smell a cinnamon doughnut I’m instantly teleported back to my childhood. We used to go to Trash n Treasure every Sunday back in the 80s. My old man loved a bargain and he’d get us some hot cinnamon doughnuts from the food truck.
What’s a normal breakfast for you?
I’m not a big breakfast guy – it’s usually just coffee and a banana.
The walk-in fridge at the Page Bottler is chock-full of colourful craft beers. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?
We would usually go for a stroll up to Burns Golf Club, just a 10-minute walk from my place, and get a counter meal like a steak or a schnitty or a parmi.
What is your dream travel destination?
I’ve always wanted to go to the states (less and less these days) but I’d love to go over there to watch some NFL and college football, and finish off in Hawaii.
Tell me something you love about living in Canberra
Outside of winter I pretty much love everything about Canberra! I’ve been here all my life and have no wish to leave, it’s a great place to bring up a family. Really good people here too.
What TV show are you watching right now?
We just finished watching Alone Australia on SBS. I would not last a day out there! I’m in awe of people who can do that for 10 or 11 weeks.
An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?
Pretty boring, just a cappuccino. But if I’m feeling adventurous, a caramel latte.
The Page Bottler at Shop 2-4 Page Pl, Page is open 10 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm Sunday. Follow the Page Bottler on Facebook or Instagram.
