Travelling to different places exposes people to other cultures, communities, and even flavours.

For one British expat, his recent visit to a popular local eatery left him with a full belly and a story he will never forget.

Tom Hammond, a 28-year-old landscaper living in Sydney, was on the hunt for a good breakfast spot during a weekend getaway.

He asked for several food recommendations online.

Hammond soon found himself at The Yellow Deli Café, a rustic, inviting venue right on Katoomba's main street.

Tom Hammond recounted his visit at The Yellow Deli Café in a video. Image Credits: TikTok/Tom Hammond, The Yellow Deli Café

'The venue itself is really pretty, it reminded me of the Cotswolds in England,' Hammond shared.

With its handmade timber furniture, a roaring fireplace, and overall atmosphere, it looked like the perfect place to start the day.

Hammond ordered waffles and eggs and was pleasantly surprised by both the quality and the cost.

'The food is really nice, it's cheap—it's a great spot,' he shared.

'The waiter was polite but not as friendly as I've come to expect in Australia,' Hammond recalled.

'He explained that the café was staffed by volunteers, which is why the prices were so low.'

'I didn't think much of it. I have backpacked before, and it's not unusual for people to work a shift or two in exchange for a meal or a bed,' he further shared.

Later in the evening, while chatting with locals, Hammond learned the truth about the quaint café.

'One of the locals asked, "Why would you go there?" And they told me who it was run by,' Hammond stated.

The Yellow Deli Café is reportedly run by The Twelve Tribes, a controversial religious group with a history that has raised many eyebrows.

The Twelve Tribes originated in Tennessee in the 1970s and expanded to Australia in the 1990s.

Members of the said group live communally and share everything—from meals to work duties.

The group's businesses, including cafés and farms, are staffed by volunteers from within the group.

The Twelve Tribes was accused of child labour and implementing strict, authoritarian rules.

While the group's leaders have denied these claims, the group's secretive nature and beliefs have made it the subject of speculation.

Andrew McLeod, the café's manager back in 2019 and a member of the group, shared his sentiments about the allegations.

'We want our children to have a well-balanced life, and what we do and our beliefs have somehow been taken out of context to portray us as a fundamentalist cult that bashes our children, which is just not true,' McLeod said.

'It's sad that so many people are gullible enough to believe what they believe without looking into it themselves.'

Tom Hammond shared his experience in the café through a video posted online.

Watch his full story here:

Source: @tomham97/TikTok​

Locals and tourists alike chimed in with their own stories about the café and learning about its background.

Despite the surprise, Hammond said he can't fault the food—but he won't be returning.

'It's not something I would support. I just wish I'd known before I went in,' he concluded.

The Yellow Deli declined to comment further about Hammond's video, but the story certainly sparked conversation among locals and visitors alike.

Key Takeaways

• British expat Tom Hammond was shocked after discovering that The Yellow Deli Café in Katoomba was run by the controversial religious group The Twelve Tribes.
• The low prices at the café are due to the staff working as volunteers.
• The Twelve Tribes previously faced allegations of child abuse and child labour, though group leaders have denied these claims.
• The expat shared his experience online and admitted he felt guilty for unknowingly supporting a cult.

Have you ever discovered something surprising about a local business? Would you keep going if you found out controversial figures and groups ran it? Share your thoughts and opinions about Tom Hammond's story in the comments section below!

 

[xavier616]

It’s crazy how sometimes we just go about our day, not knowing what’s behind the places we visit. I get why he’d feel bad, but it sounds like the food and vibe were good. I think it’s always important to know more about where we’re spending our time and money. Personally, I’d probably feel the same – good food but not sure I’d want to support a place with such a background.