Eye for the food market

Janene Draper says it is possible to eat well without blowing the budget. Picture / Babiche Martens

Janene Draper has spent years looking deep into people's eyes. Now she is hoping to fill their stomachs, ending her career as an optometrist to open Auckland foodstore Farro's.

Janene and husband James want their market-style specialty store in Mt Wellington to be a one-stop food shop. Farro's features a specialist seafood market, meats, fruit and vegetables, cakes, breads, artisan chocolates, cheeses, condiments, sauces, oils, fresh and dried pastas and fresh flowers. A barista can also make one of three blends of coffee (Allpress, Cafe L'affare and Max).

The couple have products from more than 200 suppliers throughout the country - many of which until now could only be found at farmers' markets.

Homegrown pickled pears, smoked fish pates, baby pannacottas and creamy chocolate pots, vacuum-packed duck confit, Kaffee Eis gelato, canned whole baby apples and Blackball salami are among the delicacies you'll find at the store.

Janene says the idea behind Farro's is that shoppers should be able buy all the ingredients for a recipe - from the usual to the unique - in one place, and cheaper than at many Auckland foodstores.

For example, eye fillet is $27.45 a kilo, compared with $39.95 at the supermarket.

Fewer overheads because they are not based in the central city mean they can keep prices down, says Draper, a longtime foodie who does the odd spot of catering for friends.

"It is possible to eat fresh and with flavour without blowing your budget," she says.

"We have created an environment suitable for both passionate and everyday cooks who like to use seasonal fresh produce, in the same way Europeans cook based on what's in season."

And if you're short on cooking ideas, there is help at hand.

Menu ideas feature throughout the store as well as tips on how to use many of the products - perfect if you're dropping in on your way home and need some quick ideas for dinner. Tastings will be held regularly too.

Farro's is at 80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, ph (09) 570 7071. Open until 7pm weekdays and Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays.