Hell's Kitchen star at Ormlie Lodge

Former Hell's Kitchen contestant and Bonnie Cakes owner Bonnie Berkett will start as head chef at Ormlie Lodge, Taradale (in background). Photo/Duncan Brown

A former Hell's Kitchen star will soon be stationed at the hobs of Ormlie Lodge.

Bonnie Berkett was runner-up in the third season of Hell's Kitchen in 2007, when, among other cooking contestants, she withstood the rants of firebrand celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

Earning worldwide acclaim for her efforts on the show, the Californian girl moved to Hawke's Bay with Kiwi husband Shane in late 2010, and later started her own American-styled treat store, Bonnie Cakes, in Ahuriri.

The talented chef, who would start as head chef at the luxury lodge later this month, closed her Ahuriri shop on Friday but assured the business and website were still in action.

"A lot of people think that because the shop shut down, we are not still going - Napier is a small town, people don't get to travel to Ahuriri as much as we would like.

"Our deliveries have taken off, this way we are able to service them better - we like to be the place that delivers [direct] not using a delivery company."

Cupcakes were still available from Zest cafe in Ahuriri on Friday, Saturday and Sundays and daily at Jersey Kitchen in Onekawa.

"There will also be drop-off points if people want to pick them up - we are trying to make it as accessible as we can - we figure if we can get one in Hastings, Havelock North and Ahuriri - all bases will be covered."

Meanwhile she was making a lot more "occasion" cakes and hoped to expand into an ice-cream cake range.

"I don't think cupcakes are out, I think it's hard in this region to sell just cupcakes.

"We pulled the pin on the shop very quickly - we weren't aware it would happen so fast. The hardest part is saying goodbye to all of our regular customers who would bring their kids in for a cupcake, seeing some of the kids' faces when they realise the shop's closed - it's heartbreaking.

"All we want to be is more than flexible, we have had the most amazing support in Hawke's Bay, the customers are incredible - we will miss that little shop."

She said there were plans in the pipeline to hold events and classes for children and adults with Ormlie Lodge - something which was not possible in her small Ahuriri kitchen.