Bendigo’s Only Gluten Free Cafe & Catering

Cooked + Served from Scratch. Run by Family. Loved by Bendigo.

Two people standing outside a restaurant named Crooked Kitchen, wearing black aprons with the restaurant's logo, smiling at the camera.

  • We are proudly a completely Gluten Free & Peanut Free premises.

    We also have a range to suit Vegetarians, Vegans, Tree Nut free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Refined Sugar Free, Dairy Free, & Low FODMAP’s.

Crooked Kitchen | Cafe, Takeaway & Catering | Delivery | Bendigo’s Only Gluten Free Cafe & Catering | Seriously delicious, accessible + allergy conscious food.
Cartoon illustration of a plate of five green round fruits with one sliced open, showing yellow interior with seeds.

Crooked Kitchen is a family-run business led by husband and wife duo, Luke and Tess.

What started in 2015 as a humble takeaway spot has grown into a full ecosystem of food – from our fast-moving Kitchenette to our dine-in café, a thriving catering arm, and fresh meal deliveries through Crooked@Home.

Crooked was originally founded by Tara Stojic in 2015, who laid the foundation with a passion for wholesome, allergen-conscious food. In August of 2020, Luke and Tess took the reins and have continued to grow the business while staying true to its roots.

Illustration of a stack of green lasagna with a basil leaf on top, served on a white plate.

One of Luke’s boldest moves was converting the kitchen to a 100% gluten-free space – a decision driven by community need and backed by his belief that no one should have to miss out on good food.

At the heart of it all is the same commitment: to create food that’s good for everyone – full of flavour, made from scratch, and completely gluten-free.

You’ll still find Luke behind the scenes in the kitchen, Tess on the tools (or behind the coffee machine) across the business, and even Luke’s mum helping out with meals.

This isn’t just work for them – it’s a shared passion, and one they’re proud to pour back into their community.

A man and woman behind a coffee shop counter, smiling at each other, with coffee-making ingredients and supplies on the counter, in a brick-walled cafe.
A family of five standing outdoors in front of green bushes. The mother, father, and three young girls are smiling at the camera. The mother is wearing a pink dress, and the father is in a light blue t-shirt with a dog outline. The girls are wearing white dresses with cherry prints, and the youngest girl has her finger in her mouth.

Why “Crooked”?

Because we do things a little differently.

No shortcuts. No compromise. And no gluten – ever.

We believe in good, honest food made with care. Food that feels like home, but doesn’t come with a list of dietary disclaimers. We’re here for the busy workers, the food lovers, the families juggling allergies – and for anyone who just wants a damn good (but safe) lunch.

Proudly Local

From our ingredients to our team, Crooked is built on local connections.

We source fresh produce from nearby suppliers, work with like-minded local makers, and feed the people who keep Bendigo ticking.

Illustration of a green layered cake with a leaf decoration on top, placed on a white plate.

More Than One Door

Today, Crooked includes:

→ Crooked Kitchen – our café and dine-in experience on Howard Place

→ Crooked Kitchenette – our OG takeaway spot on Lyttleton Terrace

→ Crooked@Home – weekly meal delivery across the region

→ Catering – for events, offices and everything in between

Whichever door you walk through, you’ll find the same heart, flavour and quality in every meal.

Doing Our Bit for the Planet

We’re not just passionate about good food – we care about how it’s made and where it ends up.

At Crooked, we accept keep cups (and even office mugs!) to help reduce single-use waste. Wherever possible, we work with local, organic suppliers and compost our food scraps through the City of Greater Bendigo’s Green Waste Program.

It’s all part of our goal to tread lighter, support our region, and do what we can for the planet.