GOURMET SUPREME
On Friday night the Waipa¯ business community came together to celebrate with finalists at the 2019 Waipa¯ Networks Business Awards Gala Dinner, where Cambridge business Gourmet Delicious was announced as the Supreme Winner.
The premier business event is hosted annually by the Cambridge Business Chamber and Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce.
Over 40 submissions were received for the 2019 Awards across 16 categories, focused on recognising excellence and success in business in Waipa¯ District.
Head judge, Howard Davey from the University of Waikato Management School, said this year he had seen a very high quality of entrants.
“We have seen a number of businesses, both established and new, that demonstrate innovation, a focused and sustainable strategic direction, a strong customer focus, and attention to detail.
“Overall the quality and diversity of entrants bodes well for the future of business in the district.”
Gourmet Delicious provide professional catering services across the greater Waikato area, employing 25 regular staff and up to 60 for events.
Notably they catered for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Cambridge.
Judges commented their application showed “strong growth and diversification with new outlets and alternative business elements. They are future focussed with clear strategies in mind”.
“They are really emphasising positive outcomes in terms of improving systems and explorations of new revenue streams,” judges said.
Co-owners Kim Moodie and Ali Foers started Cambridge catering company Gourmet Delicious in 2006 and have grown to open Suburban Kitchen on Robinson St in 2015 and Podium Cafe at Lake Kara¯ piro in 2017.
They will soon open their third, yet to be named, cafe at Amber Garden Centre on Peake Rd on the outskirts of Cambridge and operate GD Eats, a food truck used for events and site catering.
The pair thanked their clients, customers and dedicated staff for the support.
Kim said Cambridge was a wonderful town to start and grow a business in, with many loyal clients and customers becoming good friends.
“Cambridge is an amazing place to live — I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” she said.
“It’s growing and it’s really neat to be a part of that.”
She said the company had one Best Small Business twice previously and was always looking to up their game.
“Managing growth and maintaining quality means we had to put more procedures into place,” said Kim.
She paid credit to the staff, saying it was an awesome team that always gave their best.
Kelly Bouzaid, CEO, Cambridge Business Chamber thanked everyone involved on behalf of the Waipa¯ Networks Business Awards team — entrants, judges, ForumPoint2, SBI, Mystery Creek, sponsors and Cambridge Business Chamber.
She said it was a fantastic event and she had received a lot of positive feedback from so many attendees.
“ForumPoint2 and SBI did a superb job to make it such a slick event — without a doubt the most prestigious networking events in the region.”
“The food was exceptional, MC Kanoa Lloyd was outstanding and there was a tremendous buzz of excitement and celebration.
“Large numbers stayed on dance to the Three Brothers band after the awards presentation.”
Employee of the Year – Cambridge:
Lara Lo Nobile from Gourmet Delicious. Lara joined the Podium team, a division of Gourmet Delicious, in November 2018, managing the restaurant and playing a pivotal role in a number of significant events, such as Maadi Cup.
She ensured a positive team culture and impeccable service delivery through some very demanding and testing times.
Employee of the Year – Te Awamutu:
Rowdy McIntosh – Lunix Homes. Rowdy McIntosh is project manager for Lunix Homes. The team at Lunix Homes say Rowdy display strength in his work ethic and capabilities by consistently taking accountability for his own development and encouraging his team to do the same.
Customer Choice Award – Te Awamutu:
Luxe and Co. Luxe & Co. opened in May 2013 and is a beauty therapy clinic providing a wide range of beauty treatments from trained and internationally qualified beauty therapists.
Best Customer Service; Customer Choice Award – Cambridge; Excellence in New and Emerging Business:
Homebrew Coffee. Homebrew Coffee is a new coffee bar established in the heart of Cambridge.
With a passion for people and coffee, the vision for Homebrew Coffee is to redefine the way coffee is served in New Zealand.
Homebrew Coffee's strong strategic direction, their exceptional planning and due diligence, strong sales growth and a good business model, impressed the judges.
Excellence in Small Business:
Destination Cambridge & Cambridge i-Site. Judges were impressed the submission outlined efforts to foster continuous business improvement initiatives.
There is strong indication of how they have worked towards enhancing organisational/web performance.
Excellence in Medium Business:
Rave Build and Lawn and Turf Contracting Ltd (joint winners).
Rave Build was established in 2007. The team are passionate about driving change in the construction industry through the use of technology to assist builders with the running of their businesses.
Lawn and Turf have been in business since 2001 and service the greater Waikato area from Pa¯ terangi. They continually strive to be the market leader in hydroseeding, irrigation design and installation, site preparation, sowing lawns, erosion control and soft landscaping.
Excellence in Large Business:
Gourmet Delicious.
The judges have also awarded a Highly Commended in this category to Lunix Homes. Lunix Homes was founded in Te Awamutu in February 2016 and it's team provides 18 years of experience in residential construction with 15 years onsite construction supervision and project development management as a qualified and licenced builder.
Excellence in Community Contribution and Sustainability:
Destination Cambridge & Cambridge i-Site. Destination Cambridge contributes to the community and industries through a number of practices, such as organising the annual Cambridge Christmas Parade, supporting the Child Cancer Society fundraising efforts, involving social and ecological restoration initiatives, implementing a donation bucket for the Kiwi program, collating the weekly What's On guide for the community, and recruiting and supporting a volunteer base.
Excellence in Innovation and Knowledge:
Gourmet Delicious. Gourmet Delicious' submission outlined nicely how knowledge is accessed and is used in efforts to foster continuous business improvement initiatives.
Outstanding Services to Business:
Kevin Burgess. Kevin settled in Cambridge with his wife Jane in 1985 and established himself within the Cambridge Business Community when he took over the local pharmacy.
Over the last 23 years Kevin has been heavily involved in Cambridge and Waipa¯ sport as well as within a variety of local community initiatives.
Leader of the Year:
Jean McKenzie – Mathematics for a Lifetime Trust. Jean is the owner/operator of ‘Impact Tutoring' in Te Awamutu and founder and chairperson for Mathematics for a Lifetime Trust, which has transformed the lives of 65 needy students and their families.
Jean also serves as a Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce Board member, Pirongia Voluntary Firefighter and is a Zumba group member.
Merit Award (across all excellence categories): 19 Rave Build.