Andy Bedford branches out

The cafe that was Marmalade and Soul in Clifton Hill closed more than five months ago but the space is getting some soul back with chef Andy Bedford moving in over the next month and changing its name to Charlie's.

Bedford, who is currently head chef at Fitzroy restaurant Charcoal Lane, finishes up there this Saturday and will slowly move into the Queens Parade venue to personalise and tweak the interior.

Bedford moved to Australia from Britain four years ago and this is his first time going into business on his own.

"It's a massive step," he says, planning on creating a simple, local menu. ''I'm looking forward to it.''

Charlie's will be open from early October for breakfast and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, and for dinner on Wednesday to Saturday, dishing up a ''modern Australian menu with European influences''.

Who will replace him at Charcoal Lane is still to be decided.