Dr Judy Gregory is a Brisbane-based writer, editor, researcher, and former cafe dreamer. As a writer, Judy specialises in translating complex concepts into plain language. In 2016, Judy and her partner opened their dream business in Brisbane's Red Hill - Northside Meetings with The Letter Lounge Cafe & Gifts. The vision was to provide a space for people to work - with meeting rooms, training rooms, and a word-themed cafe. Within months, they discovered they had little aptitude for the dream they'd cherished for so long. In May 2018, after 26 months of difficult operation, they closed the business. 'Newbies in the Cafe' is the book that Judy wishes she had read before embarking on her cafe dream. Closing The Letter Lounge Cafe & Gifts sadly brought an end to Judy's daily interaction with a La Marzocco Linea PB espresso machine. It its place, today she uses a cafetiere, with 22g of freshly ground coffee to 8 oz of not-quite-boiling water, brewed for exactly 5 minutes. As a cafe owner, Judy loved to bake sweet treats, but discovered a deep dislike for poached eggs. Poached eggs are now permanently off the menu in her household. Judy and her partner have two teenage sons and a Chinese Crested Powerdpuff dog named Laika.
