Commercial kitchen welcomed by community

Flaxmere Community Centre's new commercial kitchen, Wharekai, was opened during a ceremony this morning. Photo/Supplied

A new commercial kitchen in Flaxmere has been created to bring the community together.

The Flaxmere Community Centre kitchen, which has been named Wharekai (house of food) following a public naming competition, was opened during a ceremony attended by about 50 people this morning.

It will be available for hire to community groups holding functions at the centre and will be the location of a free cafe and barista course run by FutureCol starting next month.

Flaxmere Community Centre manager Graham Takie said the kitchen will open many doors for people in Flaxmere in terms of gaining employment skills through FutureCol's course.

FutureCol head of department Dianna Karamaena said the course will create opportunities for people in Flaxmere who need employment and will also benefit the hospitality industry.

"There's a shortage of people working in hospitality in the area due to a big boom in the tourism market."

The new facility is of such a high standard that one of the tutors wants to take it home with him, she said.

The course will be open for anyone who does not have a Level 2 qualification or has one that is more than five years old.

Hastings District councillor Henare O'Keefe, who is on the board of the Flaxmere Planning Committee, said food is an important part of a community and having a shared facility will help people feel a sense of belonging.

"It's about building relationships..bringing the community together."

He also hoped it would bring people from other parts of the region to Flaxmere.

Flaxmere Community Centre advisory board chairman Henry Heke, from Te Puni Kokiri, said he would also be running a children's cooking course next term teaching cooking and hygiene skills in the $100,000 commercial kitchen.

Spaces in the 12-person pilot course had already filled up but if there was a demand they would look at doing more, he said.

The opening was attended by council, police and community representatives and free food was available for the community prepared by FutureCol students.