Mischief on Guyton

Owner and chef Sonya Mathias fetched up in town 4 years ago to undertake a course in glass-blowing. When she found the course was closed, she switched to her other passion – food. Lucky for Whanganui. Mischief on Guyton is an irreverent café that likes to have fun with its customers. There are cheeky slogans on the outside blackboard and a fair bit of lively banter across the counter. Sonya says her food is for the health conscious – lots of salads and no deep-frying – but by no means spartan.

“We don’t spare the butter in our baking.” A vegetarian, she makes sure others of that tribe are well catered for. Everything is made on the premises and the menu features faves such as Benny True Stories and Funky Fungi. Sonya was raised in New Plymouth and trained as a chef there, but she used to holiday in Whanganui with her family. She’s always loved the buildings and the river. “It’s a powerful life force,” she says. 96 Guyton Street. (06) 347 1227, on Facebook.

Front: Sonya Mathias, Tracey McKenzie. Back: Kelsie Baird, Kelly Blinkhorne, Nikki Masters.