Bittersweet surprise for hospitality award finalist
Last week the New Zealand Restaurant Association announced the finalists in the inaugural Otago Hospitality Awards. The results came as a big surprise to one finalist in particular, Rebecca Fox discovers.
LAST week Joel Kenton took to social media to announce he was closing his food truck Kenty’s Southern Style BBQ, but just days later his truck was named a finalist in the inaugural Otago Hospitality Awards.
‘‘It’s a big shock. I mean far out. I’ve just told people I’m going to close. It’s been four years now and I’m finally seeing recognition for it.’’
Kenty’s made the finals in the Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining category alongside Citizens Food Truck, Comes First Diner and Coopers Hot Chicken.
Closing Kenty’s down was a tough decision for Mr Kenton, who has been a chef all his working life. The food truck was his first venture into business for himself and he put in many hours to make it a success.
‘‘I’ve put my heart and soul into it for four years. It’s been emotional. It’s not how I wanted it to pan out.’’
While he survived the Covid19 lockdowns OK, the double whammy of a wet winter and rising food and petrol costs had begun to make the business look unviable.
‘‘It’s just the uncertainty of the future, the economy, cost of food and freight.’’
He had always prided himself that his food was affordable to people. But with costs of everything going up, even cooking oil more than doubling in price, he was unlikely to be able to keep it that way and he knew takeaways were one of the first things people cut when tightening their belts.
Mr Kenton is appreciative of his loyal following and all the messages of support he has received since he broke the news.
‘‘I’ve loved it. I think I’m just the victim of circumstance. It was wrong timing really.’’
He has a more regular job to go to and is giving himself six months’ ‘‘thinking time’’ to recover from the constant pressure and demands of the food truck before he decides his next move.
Dunedin bar Woof! received the most nominations of any venue — outstanding bartender (Seb CoxonAristizabal), front of house, bar and ambience and decor — but codirector Dudley Benson wanted to acknowledge those in hospitality who had struggled to make it through the past few years.