Fun Stuff

Local Good Friends is our series celebrating the passionate people who make the South West of Western Australia such a special place to live, work and visit.

Through stories, conversations and photography, we shine a light on the locals who champion quality, creativity and community. First up is Steve Momsen, co-owner of Merchant & Maker in Dunsborough, a chef whose passion for local produce and thoughtful food perfectly reflects the values we hold close at Eagle Bay Brewing Co.

A Passion for Food, Family & Craft

Steve Momsen's journey into food began in Perth, where he completed his chef apprenticeship at the renowned Jackson's Restaurant before heading to Denmark for what was meant to be a one-year adventure.

That year quickly turned into fourteen.

Living and working in Copenhagen immersed Steve in a culture where craftsmanship is deeply respected.

"If you work doing something, you're passionate about it. It's more than just making money—you take ownership of it."

Despite arriving without speaking Danish, Steve built an impressive career, learning under demanding chefs who taught him the importance of precision, pride and questioning traditional methods.

Learning to Waste Less

One lesson stayed with Steve more than any other, the importance of using every ingredient to its full potential.

Rather than discarding parts of vegetables simply because "that's how it's always been done," he learned to taste first and rethink waste.

Cauliflower stalks became sweet additions to meals. Ingredients found new purpose. Cooking became more thoughtful.

It's a philosophy that still shapes everything he does today.

From Copenhagen to Dunsborough

During his years in Denmark, Steve worked as the private chef for the Australian Ambassador and founded two successful catering businesses, including Wooden Spoon—a range of healthy meals naturally preserved in glass jars.

Along the way he also met his wife, Anna, and together they started a family.

Eventually, the pull of home became stronger.

Wanting their children to grow up alongside their Australian cousins, Steve and Anna packed up their lives, sold everything and moved to Dunsborough without jobs or a permanent home.

It was a leap of faith that paid off.

Reimagining Merchant & Maker

An opportunity soon arose to take over Merchant & Maker, a much-loved local store in Dunsborough.

Steve's vision was simple:

Champion local producers and stock products with purpose.

Rather than filling shelves with supermarket brands, Merchant & Maker focuses on local growers, artisans and sustainable products from across the South West.

The café also serves fresh meals prepared using many of the same products available on the shelves, creating complete transparency between what customers buy and what they eat.

"We really wanted to be transparent. We want people to recognise the ingredients that go into our food."

Local Produce at the Heart of Every Meal

From locally smoked Manjimup ham to South West preserves, every ingredient is carefully selected.

Even the café's famous Danish rye bread has an Eagle Bay connection.

Steve uses Eagle Bay Brewing Co.'s Cacao Stout in the recipe, replacing traditional malt while adding richness and supporting another local producer.

It's a small detail that perfectly captures Merchant & Maker's philosophy—support local wherever possible.

More Than Just Great Food

Merchant & Maker is more than a café or general store.

It's a place built around passionate people.

From nationally competitive baristas to talented pastry chefs and a team committed to genuine customer service, everyone shares the same goal: creating thoughtful food and memorable experiences.

Whether you're stopping in for coffee, breakfast, lunch or simply grabbing a few local essentials, Merchant & Maker embodies everything that's special about the South West.

Final Thoughts

Stories like Steve's remind us why we love calling the South West home.

They're about people who care deeply about quality, community and supporting local, values that inspire everything we do at Eagle Bay Brewing Co.

Be sure to explore more of our Local Good Friends series as we continue celebrating the incredible people behind our region.