Five Minutes with Rena Judd, The Jetty

Who are you?

Rena Judd. I’m one of the co-owners here at The Jetty.

Tell me about The Jetty.

The Jetty is a location for everyone: young, old, you can have a coffee, a wine, lunch or dinner while listening to live music. We also have a weekly running group – Running 4 Resilience – and it’s also just a nice place to pop in while walking or running around the lake. It’s a community spot for everyone and the perfect place to go when you finish the ‘bridge to bridge’.

How did you get involved in the hospitality industry?

I did a journalism degree at UC (University of Canberra) and I needed a job! My first bar job was at the Lighthouse and then I was managing at The Dock which is how I ended up here. I didn’t think I’d fall in love with working in hospitality but I did, and I haven’t used the degree!

What is your hospitality philosophy?

It should be fun and easy: it should be easy to book a table, easy to walk in, and easy to order. People appreciate that the most. When it comes to food, my philosophy is less sauce on everything! I always request things with less sauce.

What is your favourite or must-use ingredient when cooking?

I put fresh herbs in everything: parsley, dill, coriander…

What’s an underrated Canberra venue that you love?

Can Tho in Belconnen. I reckon they do the best pho in Canberra.

Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?

Fricken Chicken. They’re a family-run business and I know everyone in hospitality works hard but it seems like these guys work more than anyone else. You won’t meet a family who works harder than they do, it’s so impressive and inspirational.

Where’s the best place for a drink or a coffee in Canberra?

I live in Braddon which makes it easy! B-side does the best coffee on Lonsdale Street. And you’ll also find me in the Assembly beer garden quite a bit.

Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?

It’s a bit of a sad one but my Mama, my grandma who passed away last year. She never got to see The Jetty so I’d bring her here.

What is your current food obsession?

Salted cucumbers. We went to Japan earlier in the year and it felt like it was on the menu everywhere. We always have cucumbers on hand for sandwiches so we make them a lot here. There’s a guy on TikTok who makes them with miso and chilli.

What’s the best thing you ate this week?

Raspberry cheesecake babka from Sonoma. It was perfect, not too sweet or heavy.

What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?

Weetbix with butter and sugar on them: dry as a little biscuit! It sounds strange but it’s a really good balance of sweet and savoury. Mum used to give them to us as a snack.

What’s a normal breakfast for you?

Either just plain toast with Vegemite or eggs in a mug in the microwave. It’s easier than cleaning up a pan!

Where do you shop for groceries?

Ainslie IGA is a favourite or I’ve also been going to the Supabarn in Kingston: the big display of fresh veggies makes me feel like I’m being healthy.

When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?

I go to CBD Dumpling House for chilli fried beef and pan fried dumplings or a schnitzel at Assembly.

What’s your go-to special occasion meal?

It’s a Canberra classic! I’ve always been obsessed with EightySix: the banoffee pie there is elite. I had an extra large version for my birthday this year which took me a week to get through. And their cheeseburger sliders are so good, I always get them when they’re on the menu.

Where are you travelling next?

This year I went to a friend’s wedding in Bali, and then we also went to Vietnam and Japan. Ho Chi Min City was amazing, I don’t know what I expected really but it was so good. I actually had some of the best tacos of my life there with incredible crispy pork.

We’re trying to save up for a house but I would love to go to Copenhagen and Northern Europe to try all the different pastries and the food. I just like seeing different places and exploring the world.

Tell me something you love about living in Canberra?

I love Canberra, it gets a lot of hate but the food here is amazing. People think it’s boring but they’re wrong! I grew up in a small country town a few hours away so I love that it’s close to that, close to the beach and close to larger cities.

What TV show or movie are you watching right now?

I wish I had an educational response but we’ve actually been watching all the Marvel movies and TV shows from start to finish! My partner is really into Marvel. It’s been a solid month now and we’re just up to Endgame and there’s still so many to go.

An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?

Small, double shot, oat cap.

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