By Libby Middlebrook
Pipis and watercress can make a pretty bland meal, unless they have been prepared by Auckland catering firm Food Queens.
Business partners Wiki Oman and Wendy Bennett of Food Queens won the small business award as part of the Maori Womens' Business Awards this week.
The pair established their catering company about 12 months ago, supplying film crews and galleries with lunches and nibbles. Since then, the business has quadrupled in size and next month they plan to open their first restaurant - Kai Cafe - in central Auckland.
"We're a bit different with our modern Polynesian food. Traditional Maori food can be pretty plain at times, we've just added a bit of a twist," Wendy Bennett said.
Employing up to 12 part-time workers during catering jobs, they specialise in New Zealand cuisine, with an emphasis on Maori and Pacific foods. Wiki Oman said they planned to expand their market and sell food to other restaurants and to set up a cooking school.
"Most of the food you get in New Zealand is just a copy of overseas styles. There are lots of tourists wanting to try authentic Pacific and Maori cuisine."
Pair spice up tradition
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