Tony Sargent met his Hawaiian-born wife Cecily at a truck stop in Tibet when he was travelling around Asia. The pair ran a kiosk on Sydney’s northern beaches before moving to Hawai‘i in 2012 to be closer to her family, where they founded Tucker and Bevvy in Waikīkī.
When did you open Tucker and Bevvy?
We founded Tucker and Bevvy in 2013. We saw that no one was selling smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches or salads on the beachfront. It is what we did in Sydney. Our first business was a sandwich shop on Manly Beach, and we knew it was a great opportunity.
What Aussie dishes do you serve there?
We have been selling avocado toast with pistachio dukkah since 2014 – before avocado toast was a normal thing here.
What do you love most about Hawai‘i?
The ocean of course! The people are also great.
When did you open Tucker and Bevvy?
We founded Tucker and Bevvy in 2013. We saw that no one was selling smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches or salads on the beachfront. It is what we did in Sydney. Our first business was a sandwich shop on Manly Beach, and we knew it was a great opportunity.
What Aussie dishes do you serve there?
We have been selling avocado toast with pistachio dukkah since 2014 – before avocado toast was a normal thing here.
What do you love most about Hawai‘i?
The ocean of course! The people are also great.
What should visitors see or do there?
They must get in the ocean, not just the pool at their resort, as well as going on a hike and seeing a waterfall.
What are your favourite restaurants?
I am a pescatarian and I like Off the Hook for poke, Mana Musubi, Izakaya Nonbei and vegan restaurant Lē‘ahi Health.
When is the best time to visit?
September to October, which is the slowest tourist season.
How long do you recommend people stay?
I would aim for two weeks and recommend going to more than one island.
What should visitors be aware of when it comes to local customs and etiquette?
Do not wear shoes inside anyone’s home. Drive with aloha, be polite and let people in.
How can visitors travel more responsibly in Hawai‘i?
Be mindful of nature and wildlife.
Tucker and Bevvy is at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī at 2424 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu. Its products are also available at 32 retail locations throughout Hawai‘i, including all Whole Foods Market stores in Honolulu and Maui.
