Café Origins opens

A new café has opened in the heart of Birmingham that boasts a James Beard Award winning chef. Café Origins is owned by Joseph Labib along with business partner and Executive Chef Alexander Young. Young was named James Beard Foundation award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes for Zingerman’s Roadhouse where he was chef and managing partner. He was nominated for the award four times prior to winning. The café is open seven days a week serving food that, according to general manager Tricia Troyan, “pays homage to different origins of people and culture.” There is seating for 18 guests, with plans to open an outdoor patio in the warmer months. Diners can choose from a diverse selection of soups, salads, rollos, hand pies, sandwiches and quiches. Current favorites on the menu include: chili-lime shrimp rollo with Hounduran slaw, avocado and chipotle; hearts of palm salad with baby greens, chili, lime and coconut oil; Biryani chicken roll with tomato, pickle, radish and raita. The coffee at Café Origins is roasted fresh. Gelato is made in-house as well as pastries, cookies and biscuits by Pastry Chef Meishia Rainer.  For those craving a decadent treat, the gelato brioche sandwich is served with your choice of gelato on brioche bread that has been dipped in Belgian chocolate. 163 W. Maple Road, Birmingham. originsbirmingham.com