Our Story

The story of the Australian Bakery Café began a long way from Marietta, Georgia, in the tiny country town of Boort, Victoria, Australia.

It was there that lifelong mates Mark Allen and Neville Steel were born just three weeks apart. Their paths eventually led them both into the baking trade, where they trained at William Angliss Food College in Melbourne. Out of nearly 3,000 apprentices across Victoria, Mark and Neville became the No. 1 and No. 2 apprentices in the state — mastering the traditional techniques of baking, pastry making and, of course, the great Australian meat pie.

After years of working, baking and building businesses in Australia, Mark and Wendy made the move across the Pacific with a dream: bring a genuine taste of Australia to America.

In December 2001, Mark and Neville reunited to open the Australian Bakery Café on historic Marietta Square. What started as a little piece of Australia in Georgia quickly became a gathering place for Aussies missing home and locals discovering their first authentic Australian meat pie.

More than two decades later, that little bakery has become a Marietta tradition, serving generations of customers and shipping a taste of Australia to homes across the country.

A New Chapter, Same Tradition

Today, the story continues with Christine and Jesse Beecham.

Christine first became part of the Australian Bakery Café as an employee, never imagining that one day she and Jesse would become its owners. Over the years, the bakery became much more than a place to work. The people, the customers, the traditions and the history behind it became something they deeply cared about.

When the opportunity came for Christine and Jesse to purchase the bakery from Mark and Wendy, they knew they weren’t simply buying a business — they were being trusted with a legacy.

And one very important piece of that legacy remains right where it belongs.

Neville Steel is still here, still baking.

The same third-generation master baker who helped open the Australian Bakery Café in 2001 continues to work alongside Christine, Jesse and the bakery team, passing down the recipes, techniques and traditions that have been at the heart of the bakery from the beginning.

Christine and Jesse are proud to carry that history forward while continuing to grow the bakery for the next generation — from welcoming customers on Marietta Square to shipping meat pies and Australian favourites nationwide.

A lot has changed since two mates from a tiny Australian country town began this story.

But what matters most hasn’t.

Traditional recipes. Quality ingredients. Handmade food. And a little taste of Australia, right here in Marietta.

So whether you’ve been coming through our doors for 25 years, just discovered your first meat pie, or you’re ordering from across the country — welcome to the Australian Bakery Café.

The story started in Australia.
It found a home in Marietta.
And we’re proud to keep it going.

Member, Kiwanas Club of Marietta