New business a health dream
A barista is realising a dream in bringing his own brand of hospitality to Timaru and wrapping it in a healthy message.
Robert Jacobs has been working long hours in recent weeks in an effort to get the doors to his new Washdyke cafe open.
‘‘It is my first solo business, with nine staff including myself.
‘‘I have been putting in long shifts just to get the place up and running, and have managed to set this up and get it running within a month.’’
Jacobs has 15 years of experience in hospitality, having got his start in Timaru before working further afield at cafes in Christchurch and Wellington.
His first loves are coffee and food while also promoting healthy eating through his business and his second passion – fitness instruction.
‘‘I had no balance when it came to food nutrition when I was growing up but I made a decision in my late teens to make improvements.’’
That included a diet which is largely plant based.
Jacobs said he was incorporating a health focused philosophy with his business.
‘‘The food here [at the cafe] is quite plant based.
‘‘I believe in having a diet that is more fruit and plant based – your body will thank you for it. ‘‘Our menu is not meat focused. ‘‘We do a lot of raw food, like salads, in which we use acidity to softly cook it. Food and fitness are my two passions, and I am combining these passions.’’
The name PiqueNique (pronounced Picnic) came about as Jacobs had wanted to create shared spaces.
‘‘All our spaces are shared, I like the social aspect of it as food is about connection.
‘‘Our staff also like being part of the conversation.
‘‘I want to make sure we are not in a judgmental environment.’’
Jacobs said he encouraged conversation between strangers in his cafe.
‘‘I like to break with the norm and I am in a position where I can offer it to the public.’’