Having opened as a burger bar in a renovated Padman's Corner Takeaway in December, Frankies now offers coffee with cakes and pastries made on site.

Born-and-bred Border owners Nate and Sarah Jane Wilkins, formerly of The Proprietor in Albury and Higher Ground in Melbourne, were drawn back to the region with their two young children and with this style of project in mind.

"It's that milkbar vibe and it will evolve and grow from there," Nate said.

Frankies stocks hyper-local brands such as Topolino, Sixpence Coffee and Billson's Brewery water and soda.

MEET OUR BEECHWORTH HOMEGROWN CHEFS:

What's your favourite autumn dish, Nate?

No specific dish, more favourite ingredients like quince, mushrooms, new season citrus and chestnuts.

What's your favourite season?

Autumn. I am always struck with nostalgia as the trees turn and the temperature starts to drop.

What are the staples in your pantry?

Eggs, tinned tomatoes, coffee and bread. We can make a great meal with these items on hand.

What is your earliest cooking memory?

My mum and dad preserving the summer's tomatoes with the kitchen sink full of just blanched tomatoes ready to be peeled and turned into sauce. That smell of clove and vinegar filling the house. I must have been six or seven.

Which ingredients do you grow yourself?

At the moment we have perennial silverbeet and pumpkins. We just harvested our late crop of eggplants and corn thanks to a warmer than normal autumn. And my daughter Sidney, 3-1/2, insisted I plant out the carrots like last year.

Which six people would you invite to dinner?

My wife Sarah Jane, mum Chris and late father Paul, grandfathers Geoffrey and Albert and Prof Brian Cox.

What is your favourite foodie ritual?

New Year's Eve, cooking a whole animal on the spit at my in-laws' farm.

What are you bingeing on TV?

TV is rarely watched at our place, there just isn't enough hours in the day!

What did you have for dinner last night?

A joint effort by my mother-in-law Leanne and I. Slow-braised lamb leg with quince, polenta and veggies.

What are you drinking at the moment?

Coffee during the day and Scotch whisky at night.

Details

Frankies Milkbar and Burgers, 836 Padman Drive, West Albury

Phone: (02) 6021 3537

Open Tuesday, 7am-4pm, Wed-Saturday, 7am-8pm