Food, gorgeous food: Gorgeous Food

When most people in Christchurch are waking up, Joanne Fryer has done most of the hard yards already.

She’s up pre-sparrow’s and working in the kitchen by 3:30am. “The first thing I do is make myself a coffee. Just to make sure the machine is working correctly,” she laughs.

Joanne and her early-bird staff at Gorgeous Food get stuck into baking, during what she calls the “golden hours”.

The barista arrives at 5:30am ready to serve Vivace coffee with the warm-from-the-oven scones and pastries or fresh-cut sandwiches, when the shop opens at 6am.

Catering for morning teas is a big focus at the start of the day. “And some bosses might decide to shout their staff breakfast. They’ll pick that up at 7am and take it into work.” Happy stomachs make happy staff.

Joanne and her partner Pete have worked out a system around her early starts; he arrives later and does the clean-up at the end of the day. There’s camaraderie with the customers. “They often joke about him sleeping in.”

For Gorgeous Food, morning or afternoon, pop into 66 Springs Road, Wigram.

For catering call 03 344 6044, text 027 344 6045, email gorgeousfood@xtra.co.nz or visit the website.

www.gorgeousfood.co.nz