Mountain food quality climbs

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 458, 20 October 1992, Page 4

Mountain food quality climbs

The service at Turoa's three cafes this winter was vastly improved, thanks to hard work put in by the new local lessees who took over after the previous caterers' lease expired last year, according to Turoa management. Turoa Lodge owner Graham Berry and chef Jane Davies who own Turoa Cafeterias Ltd., began the season almost blindly because the previous lessees gave them virtually no advice or guidance as to how to run the cafes. Miss Davies said they

were very aware of the poor quality products the cafes had last year. "Looking at the systems they had last year we could see what could be improved." She said they had endeavoured to offer a much better service in a much cleaner environment. "Graham and I have very much hands on management and we're working seven days a week on the mountain." Turoa's general manager Angus Grimwade said the decision to replace the previous lessees was purely com-

mercial. "We thought Turoa Cafes Ltd. could do a better job than what was done last year," he said. Each cafe also has its own supervisor and the 40-odd staff employed are of quite a high standard. Graham and Jane are both chefs with over 20 years' experience between them. Jane was chef at Turoa Lodge last season. "The cafes this year have been very good and we're very happy with what's been done," Mr Grimwade said. Feedback from the improved operations has been good. "We upgraded everything, and we've been quite generous so what people are buying, they're enjoying." Supplies of food come from all over the North Island. The delicious moist carrot cake is produced by the Ohakune Hotel, the afghans by Skiers Inn in Ohakune and the bulk of baked goods comes from Tokoroa. Next year the company want to buy a lot more supplies from the township. Miss Davies defended the cafe food prices. "We don't charge a lot for what we offer, our prices are in line with Auckland and Wellington." Mr Berry said estimating how much stock to order had given them

great difficulty at the beginning of the season because the bad weather meant fewer people were on the mountain. "Our wastage has been pretty good, but we did get caught initially until we planned a basic system." They get accurate reports predicting the mountain weather a few days in advance. "It's really just a matter of knowing what people we can expect and being very cautious." He said it was very tricky but they are hopeful of making a small profit this year. "Considering it's our first year we're happy with the way it's gone." Turoa's Cafes may soon all have liquor licences if their applications, presently before the Liquor Licensing Authority, are approved. At present only one, The Alpine Cafe at the bottom of the field, has a liquor licence.