Our story...
It was the winter of 2008 when our family left Waiheke Island and headed north to Kerikeri searching for a new business to buy or to start a fresh.
We chose to stay in the cottages at Wharepuke, and agents took us around the region looking at businesses.
We did not need to look any further than the beautiful award-winning sub tropical garden of Wharepuke to realise the old American Army barrack that the Booth family had moved onto the site was perfect for renovation and the rest is history.
In the middle of November 2008 we opened our Cafe/Restaurant and our success has exceeded our expectations. Chef owners, Colin Ashton and Rachael Goldfinch, are supported by both sets of parents. Bill, Colin's Dad is a highly experienced chef of 42 years. His Mum, Pat, is highly qualified at front-of-house. Rachael's Dad, Paul, is the organic gardener and produces fresh salad greens and micro greens on a daily basis. Rachael's Mum, Val, is marketing manager and helps with front-of-house. We surround ourselves with other wonderful, experienced staff to help make your dining experience the best in Northland.
Both Colin and Bill trained in England. Colin trained under his father and then under Gary Rhodes in London. Both have extensively worked in the U.K, Greece, Thailand, Cayman Islands and Australia (just to mention a few places!). Colin travelled America and Europe with Shania Twain and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers providing food for The Stars and their crews. And before settling in Kerikeri, Colin, Bill, Rachael, Pat, Paul and Val all worked at Passage Rock Winery on Waiheke Island. A customer entered Colin's Kaffir Lime and Lemongrass Panna Cotta into the Auckland Metro Food Awards in 2008. He was delighted when it was announced he had won the Best Dessert Section in All of Auckland! It is this dessert, along with his Chocolate Pot that he cannot take off the menu due to popular demand.
European and Thai inspired cuisine was chosen because of Colin's experience and talent in this field. Go to our MENUS link to savor the enticing selection of food.
We invite you to experience the Wharepuke destination. Stay in one of the 5 cottages Wharepuke Accommodation, walk the award winning subtropical garden and visit the new art gallery. Non-toxic print maker, Mark Graver, lives on-site. He along with other International Artists have their work on display.
If you are visiting Northland, in particular Kerikeri, we are situated just before the historic Stone Store. We invite you in for a delicious meal, be it lunch or dinner, in our alfresco tropical setting.
Enjoy! Rachael and Colin
