Warning: do not read any further if you're hungry!
From lolly cake to rhubarb-filled donuts, SK Bakery makes every single crumb on the premises. "If you buy a panini, we've made the bread. And with our bagels, we've made the hole," says James Cootes, who owns SK Bakery with his wife Annette. They specialise in cake decorating (from Bob the Builder to TV's Good Morning show)and James' recipe for gluten-free afghans is very, very yummy.
Little Otaki is growing up. The town of 7,500 is maturing in retail, Māoritanga, and according to bakery man James Cootes, in its identity. "It's coming into its own, and not just the shops. There's a commercial sector and the wānanga [Māori based university] too."
James and his wife and business partner Annette live on two acres in Manakau, with young Gracie and baby Drew. They own SK Bakery in Otaki - actually two of them - one off the main highway and the other in the Otaki township.
James has recently learnt a key to business success - diversifying. He recently went on a Rotary-supported business exchange programme to Brazil, and one of the highlights was a precious hour with a top Brazilian businesswoman from chain store Magazine Luiza. "She opened up new things for me - different ways of producing income."
Putting his creativity where his newfound inspiration is, SK Bakery holds cake decorating nights, and offers bread-making as a team-building exercise. Forget clambering up a rock face in southerly winds - try pounding, twisting, and baking buns to feel cosy in your workplace.
"They make bread in groups of five, by hand, no machines. We explain how each ingredient has a scientific value and importance to the success of the recipe, and that you need each other to make it work or succeed. They have lots of fun." James likens this co-operative effort to what's needed in a workplace.
One of James' business goals is to get out of the rat race and enter a new ‘grown-up' phase of income - building his passive income to have the freedom to invest time into other opportunities. But he wants to live a balanced life. "There's nothing like coming home and having your daughter come running down the hall and jumping on you, calling ‘Daddy, Daddy!'
"I love Otaki. I've got a heart for the place. The hills are within ten minutes, and the ocean is right on the other side. I love fishing and it's great for that. I'd be happy living anywhere between Waikanae and Manakau."
Part of growing up is getting too big for your gumboots and doing scary things, so James and Annette are looking to franchise SK Bakery (preferably to existing staff first). "We don't want to be really rich. We just want financial freedom. And if we see someone in need then we can help them, without money being an issue."
What a lovely part of growing up.
Kiss & Bake Up
Bakery - 66 Main Street, Otaki.
Bakery and cafe - 174 Main Highway, Otaki
Ph 06 364 8150
Fishermans Table, restaurant, seafood restaurant, family dinner, Paekakariki, Kapiti.
The food is still priced for families; this Paekakariki restaurant is on a stunning million-dollar location; the fish is fresh and the all-you-can-eat salad bar is a true favourite. "It's like choosing sweets in a sweet store," says owner Bernard Parker. "There's this array of food for their eyes."
- Kids friendly
- Waterfront views
- Windows scenery
- Large groups welcome
Fishermans Table
A: Main Rd South, Paekakariki
T: 04 292 8125
E: fishtab@xtra.co.nz
Meals priced from $15.00. Open 7 days 11.30am-9pm.
The success of Fishermans Table began from a desire to make good cuisine available to all, at a reasonable price. Owner and ex-chef, Bernard Parker, had a passion for French provincial cooking and wanted to incorporate a similar philosophy to suit a Kiwi market; fresh, simple food using local ingredients.
"When we introduced $10 light lunches it was so popular we extended the sitting time to 6pm," says Bernard. "It seemed logical to create one price for the whole day. It's worked well for a very long time."
The price for light meals has only increased by $2 since 1993. Sticking with the idea that good things don't need changing, little else has changed. "People love coming here because they know exactly what they're going to get, every day of the week, and they know they can afford it."
Fishermans Table is somewhat of a Kiwi institution. There are now four generations who dine here - those who came here as kids and who now bring their own kids, their parents, and even their grandparents. "Four generations sitting at the one table is pretty great to see."
Fishermans Table have recently streamlined their liquor prices to make wine or beer choices simpler. "It takes the price consciousness out of the decision," says Bernard. "So when people are choosing, they don't have to choose the cheapest to be polite."
When Bernard isn't busy running two Fishermans Table restaurants, he's out tramping with his wife, Sue. Although they are both weary of the weather changing Tararuas, they love the region. "We often get the huts to ourselves."
His favourite view of the Nature Coast is at the lookout on Paekakariki Hill. "They should make every tourist stop there. It's quite something. I once had a dream of putting a restaurant up there, with a cable car for access."
He would be following a golden Fishermans Table rule that is shared in the real estate world - buy in the best street and you can't go wrong.
- New Zealand