Taste of Takapuna Profiles

Meet Jess Granada, Co-Owner of Nanam, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to start Nanam? For a long time Filipino food in New Zealand was something you ate at someone’s house. It was birthday food, fiesta food, cooked in big trays and handed around, and people loved it, but nobody went out for it. Andrew and I could not accept that. We started with a night market stall in 2014, cooking for whoever walked past, and what we kept hearing was surprise, people telling us they had no idea Filipino food tasted like this. That is what we built Nanam on. We want people to know Filipino cooking for what it actually

Meet Esther Cai, owner of JoyLato, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to start JoyLato? I wanted to create a happy space where people could share sweet moments, bringing authentic, crafted gelato and pure joy to our local community. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Gelato, of course! We offer a wide variety of handcrafted flavors to suit everyone, so if it’s your first time, feel free to ask our friendly staff for recommendations and try a few samples until you find your favorite. Q: What ingredient or recipe are you loving right now? Right now, I’m currently loving crafting different tea-flavored

Meet Scott Ruddock, owner of Cousin Scott’s, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to start Cousin Scott’s? Growing up between New Zealand, Scotland and the US, I wanted to create a venue inspired by the places I loved in Hawaii and on America’s West Coast. They were the kind of places where you could bring your friends, bring the family, or come in on your own and always feel welcome. With great food, sport, games and plenty of atmosphere, Cousin Scott’s isn’t just a place I own, it’s somewhere I genuinely love spending time myself. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? We’ve

Meet Rahul, Meenu & their bub Pinaksh, owners of JAM Cafe, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take over JAM Cafe? Taking over in 2023 was an exciting opportunity to build on a much-loved local café that has been serving Takapuna since 2009. We wanted to continue creating a welcoming space where people could enjoy great coffee, fresh food, and genuine community connections. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Our Velvet coffee! We’re incredibly proud to have won Best Coffee in Takapuna four times. Pair it with one of our delicious toasties for the perfect JAM experience, which is our must

Meet Kay Hu, owner of Seven Hills Cafe, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take over Seven Hills? After 10+ years in hospitality, we still love the connection between people and food. Bringing a little warmth and happiness to someone’s day is what keeps us inspired. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Definitely our house-roasted coffee and our signature Salmon Rosti. Some of our dishes carry nearly 30 years of history — they have stories, not just ingredients. Q: What ingredient or recipe are you loving right now? Our dinner menu celebrates bold Asian flavours — chilli, citrus, yuzu, spice, sweetness

Meet Reuben Ruscoe, Operations Manager of Takapuna Surf Club, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take start Takapuna Surf Club? The five of us have always loved the shore. With a few of us being shore locals and living nearby, the area has always held a special place in our hearts. Consequently, we have long been inspired to open a venue in Takapuna, positioned on the beachfront, to create a meeting space that aligns with the coastal lifestyle and contributes positively to our community overall (whilst showcasing our incredible shoreline!). Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Coconut Ceviche & Spicy Peach

Meet Jake Luke, Operations Manager of Mussel and Chip, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take start Mussel and Chip? We wanted to give the green-lipped mussel the spotlight it deserves: a uniquely New Zealand, sustainable product that we farm ourselves in the Coromandel. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Our mussel fritters, the newest addition to the menu, which became a fan favourite straight away. Q: What ingredient or recipe are you loving right now? Everything and anything mussels, of course! Q: What’s your favourite memory at Mussel and Chip? Realising how much nostalgia New Zealanders feel for green-lipped mussels.

Meet Nicky Partridge, owner of Street Organics, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take start Street Organics? I love hospitality, I love serving people and working with people, I love building teams and seeing them grow and I’ve always been interested in nutrition and healthy whole foods. I’ve had a varied career across food and beverage, human resources and fitness, so Street Organics really brought these passions together. I wanted to create a place where people could come in, feel welcome and enjoy really good food without having to overthink it, so we always make sure our menu includes plenty of options for different dietary needs and people with allergies. Ultimately,

Meet Sandun De Silva, owner of Centro Cafe, as we chat about what’s cooking, what inspires them and what they love about Takapuna! Q: What inspired you to take over Centro Cafe? I’ve been in hospitality for many years, and I always wanted to create a café where everyone feels welcome and at home. At Centro, we try to cater for everyone — whether you just want a little snack and a coffee, a toasted sandwich, or a burger with a glass of wine, we’ve got you covered. Q: If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order? Our Chilli Scrambled Eggs — it’s a little different, very popular, and has become one of our signature dishes. Our chef