Sunbeam aims for fun

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 410, 29 October 1991, Page 5

Sunbeam aims for fun

The Sunbeam Lodge in Ohakune is under new management, but to regular customers the faces behind the operation wiil be familiar. Chef Greg Thomas and bar manager lan Hays have taken on the lease of the Sunbeam Lodge for the summer and are working on plans to liven the place up. They kick off their summer of fun with a party night on Friday, and have plans for several fun events at the lodge. First up are karaoke nights and live bands, barbecues where people can cook their own steaks (to their own perfection). The pair plan to be open seven days a week and will be available for end-of-year work functions, weddings, 21st birthdays, conferences, with space to cater for large numbers. Greg has been the chef at the Sunbeam since August, and has 12 years' experience in the business. He has operated his own restaurants- Ingolf's Swiss Restaurant in Newmarket in Auckland, and a bar-cafe in Paraparaumu. Apart from those times

he said he has worked for other people a lot and this new venture was an opportunity to get back to working for himself. He said he came to Ohakune to get away from the city hustle & bustle. lan has been in Ohakune for about nine years with most of that time spent in the hospitality business. He was bar manager at the Ohakune Hotel for a time, bar manager for the Ohakune Club and has

been running the Sunbeam bar for about two years. The pair like the Sunbeam for its relaxing, comfortable surroundings and good food, and they plan to add to that with good music and more fun. They have compiled a promotional video on the lodge and the area which is being shown at various places in Auckland to try to attract summer visitor, which will benefit other businesses as well.