Between them, our Kitchen Project entrepreneurs sell their products at markets and stores all over Auckland, and online. You can find their social media handles or webpages below to find out where they’ll be or how you can order their products:
In 2018, The Kitchen Project, a programme by the Auckland Council, launched with five fabulously unique food entrepreneurs. Now we have two locations with many of our businesses selling their products in markets all across Auckland as well as online and in stores. Click their profiles below to learn more about their journey.
Julie had no idea how she would miss her mother’s steaming bowl of pho, when she left Vietnam. Now she’s bringing it to New Zealanders by recreating this classic soup made to her Mum’s traditional 18-hour recipe.
Padkos means ‘food for the road’ in Afrikaans and South African immigrant Emme Stols is recreating some of her childhood favourites as ready-to-eat meals in Aotearoa. Her Bobotie, Bunny chow, Vetkoek and mince are pure soul food.
West Coast Road Salad Kitchen makes fresh ready to eat salads using seasonal produce. Mary’s dream is to make vibrant & nutritious salads for busy people who like to live and eat well.
Childhood friends from Penang, Malaysia, Denise and Ming started My Creations, making their unique Asian inspired buns.
Mushroomate was born of Esperanza's daughter's school project on sustainability. It has morphed into a flourishing oyster mushroom business selling grow-your-own kits and other mushroom based products.
Long Dog Sauce Co makes a range of fermented hot sauces and salsas. Tim currently working as a builder but with a passion for food, he has been working on his range of fermented hot sauces, testing it with friends and family.
Little Pips makes; fruit soda syrups for use in hot and cold drinks, as well as in baking. Adapting her mother’s recipe, Phillipa makes her range of syrups utilising citrus and other fresh seasonal product from the markets.
Coming from a Tongan family, Fiona started her catering business, Nana’s Kitchen to share the Pasifika flavours she grew up loving, with all Kiwi’s.
Sharlini Thevishri grew up grinding spices and chillies and cooking delicious Malaysian food by her grandmother Irene Dragon’s side in Kuala Lumpur. Now she’s doing it here for delighted customers.
Culinary enthusiast Sofie put her love for food and serving the community by starting her business, Sofie’s Goan Delicacies, making delicious Portuguese-influenced Goan food to bring a taste of home to Aotearoa.
Both originally from Uruguay, Nati and Fabri started MATE, to share their favourite South American treat, the Alfajor, with all Kiwi’s.
Growing up missing the Filipino flavours she loved, Jian created Goodies by Jian to share a taste of home through her baked goods.
Coming from a Samoan and Laos background, Mani and her sisters created Taulouang Sisters making a blend of their traditional foods.
A first generation Sri-Lankan New Zealander, Rehana, founder of Rayray’s, is bringing a taste of home to all Kiwi’s.
With a passion for nose to tail cooking, Hayden created The Flying Rib to share his passion and give his customers a new experience.
Husband and wife team Trina and Ralph found a love for low & slow BBQ whilst cooking outdoors on camping trips. From this, they started K-Bones.
From the Amazon river in Peru, Carolina, owner of Rocoto Peruvian Cuisine started her business after finding traditional Rocoto chili’s in NZ.
A stuffed flat-bread, street-food delicacy in India, Dhara created Dhara’s Paratha’s to share this treat with all kiwi’s.
Perzen created Dolly Mumma with a goal to share the true taste of India, beyond butter chicken. Her range of Indian spice pastes showcases this!
A trained pastry chef following a plant-based diet, Bryone started The Good Baker creating stunning vegan pastries for all to enjoy!
Owner of The Wing Project, Joe started his business to highlight the humble chicken wing and how versatile and delicious it can be!
Founder of Lunch with Crunch, Claire hopes to alleviate some stress for parents through providing nutritious, delicious school lunches.
Making and delivering, delicious plant-based meals and treats, Te Reina is taking The Little Plant Pantry to homes all over Auckland.
Jonathan created Harvest to bring customised granola to all kiwi’s, via an easy online ordering website to provide healthy, delicious snacking.
A passionate artisan bread-maker, Maya started Kōpiko, delivering slow- fermented sourdough loaves to families across west Auckland.
Taste of Rwanda’s Judith, Winnie and Theresa started the business to bring authentic east African food to all Kiwi’s.
Combining her two passions, Amy started The Sustainable Food Co to be the first plant-based, zero waste catering company.
Creating the most amazing baking from cinnamon rolls to ube flan, She Bakes Dough is the perfect mix of Gaile’s Kiwi/Filipino heritage.
Creating traditional Kai with a modern twist, Underground Hāngī is a close knit family business bringing authentic Māori food to all Kiwis.
A passionate chef making kumara inspired dishes, Elizabeth started The Roll Up Caterer to showcase the variety of kumara to all kiwis.
Connie hopes to take cafes by storm with her unique Warrior Cacao Tonic, a hot drink alternative to coffee made with organic Cacao.
Niuean cousins Tania and Nina started NiuEats sharing their indulgent desserts with a Polynesian twist.
Named after her great grandmother, Grandma Jenkins fruitcake is a delicious treat with a modern twist to be enjoyed all year round.
From teaching Indian cooking classes, Banu and Sidharth have launched Banu’s Spices, a range blended spices to cook authentic Indian food.
Moreish is the only way to describe Lisa’s meringues. Lisa started The Curvy Cook to share her meringues and sweet treats all across NZ.
Owner of Nesian Bites, Reesie makes stunning grazing platters and tables with a touch of Polynesia in all her designs.
With an interest in dietary and health needs, Joanna started Car-Pie kitchen to make affordable gluten-free and vegan pies.
Firm friends, Westies Joel and Ray owe the genesis of Just Chicken to a hand-crafted marinade that left all their taste-testers wanting more.
Trained baker Carmel is taking Auckland’s local markets by storm with her delicious Israeli street-food and hand-made pita breads.
As vibrant as her salsa's Yvette started the The Red Hot Kiwi Company with the goal of bringing authentic Mexican food to Kiwi taste buds.
Owner and creator of Sweet & Me – Bert creates Pacific-inspired cakes and sweet treats crafted to reflect the spirit of the Islands.
Rukau or Taro Leaves is the inspiration for Ina's business Rukau Hut making traditional Cook Island delicacies with a modern twist.
