By Carole Levy
Rana Zakhour and her brother Nick, who established Melton Chicken Stop three months ago, grew up in a business run by their parents in Wodonga in northern Victoria.
Rana, Nick and their siblings worked alongside mum and dad, learning the ropes, gaining understanding of good food and what makes customers come back for more. Rana went on to manage her own business in neighbouring Albury.
Now the duo are putting their experience to good use in their new venture in Melton.
“We offer busy people a chance to pick up a freshly cooked chicken – we use free-range Lilydale chickens, because only the best will do – as well as a range of homemade salads,” Rana says.
“Salads are freshly made from scratch every day – sometimes twice a day – and they’re packed with health and deliciousness. Take home a combo for the family and they’ll feel very happy – and no big clean-up after the meal.
“We’re different to many takeaways – everything we serve is healthy and nourishing.”
But it’s not just the takeaway market Rana and Nick want to attract. The team also cater for occasions that might include corporate and private functions, a party, an office gathering or sports clubs.
“They can be confident, too, that our food will be appreciated and meet the health/delicious brief that most people look for nowadays,” Nick says. “And who doesn’t love a hot, juicy chicken that’s free-range and cooked perfectly?
“We’ll also be getting a coffee machine so we can offer more to locals.”
Rana and Nick say they have a very dedicated team, some working long days to ensure everything is perfect.
“Our team is trained in the same way we were. They share our family’s values of offering the cleanest and best. We give to our customers only what we would happily eat ourselves,” Rana says.
Rana and Nick are excited right now to get to know the locals and their routines so they can best meet needs. They’re also excited to see Melton Chicken Stop grow and be recognised for its family recipes, used for salads and chicken-stuffing.
In fact, people can get to taste all this free at the open day, on this Saturday, March 23 between noon and 2pm, with a jumping castle, face painting, balloons and fairy floss especially for the kids.
“We want people to see how we operate, so we’re setting up a tasting table so they can try our salads and chicken, on the house. We invite everyone in to say hello and have a taste and see.”
Delivery is also available through Menulog.
Melton Chicken Stop, Shop 2, 5 Claret Ash Boulevard, Melton West. Opens 10.30am-8.30pm Monday to Saturday. Inquiries: 9068 4069 or Facebook and Instagram.
