By REBECCA BILLS
HISTORY was made last Sunday when the 5 millionth customer walked through the doors at the Cuckoo Restaurant.
Les Webb, a patron for more than 35 years, was celebrating with his family at the Olinda restaurant when cow bells sounded and it was announced he was the lucky customer to win return flights to Germany.
Food and Beverage Manager Bill Inglis said it was a fairytale moment.
“The Cuckoo has this mystique about it and things happen here that are meant to be,” he said.
“We had no idea that Les would be the winner, a computer told us, we are thrilled.”
Mr Inglis said sadly last year Mr Webb’s beloved wife passed away so he thinks he will give the flights to one of his children.
“It was very exciting, the whole place applauding, Mr Webb was also very emotional and very happy,” he said.
“The entire day the restaurant was abuzz,” he said.
Mr Webb was not the only winner, an overnight package for two at the Arcadia Cottages in Olinda and Fleurbaix in Sassafrass was also given away.
Mr Inglis said this October the Cuckoo will celebrate 100 years of the restaurant on the site.
Marketing Manager Judy Bitterman told the Mail that this October the Cuckoo will be celebrating the building’s 100 years at the site.
Built in 1914, the building was originally called the Quamby. It was sold to Willi and Karin Koeppen in 1958 and transformed into what it is today.
Mrs Bitterman said the restaurant was one of the most successful in Australia with the owners and the staff making it a unique place.
