New cafe owner promises to maintain fresh menu

BIG CHANGE: Chef James Beck has sold organic cafe Taste Cornucopia to local man Terry Kelly, who says he's going to keep things much the same.PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

When Taste Cornucopia opens its doors on Monday cabinets will still be stocked with fresh organic food, but founder James Beck no longer commands the kitchen.

Five years ago it was set up with the aim of selling organic fare with flair, but Mr Beck who was both owner and head chef has decided to move on.

"I'm just ready for a new challenge, I want to get back into restaurants," he said. "I also want to spend some more time with the kids."

While nothing was set in concrete at this stage Mr Beck planned to start a bistro style eatery with a similar focus. That is after he has taken a well deserved break.

The popular Hastings cafe will be changing hands to Terry Kelly, a former Massey lecturer with a background in cooking and a passion for naturally grown produce.

Regulars shouldn't notice a difference, with most key components staying the same, secrets passed on and a two week hand-over period.

"The customers are a bit concerned but I encourage them to come back, all the staff are staying, Terry has all the recipes and he's hired a very good chef."

For Mr Kelly the appeal was organics, an element that was well established within the business. He also hoped to contribute produce from his own plot.

He wasn't trained as a chef but had worked in kitchens so had an idea of what was in store with this new venture.

"Organic, fresh, local I am not going to change any of that, I have some recipes that I might add in later on," Mr Kelly said. "We are not going to do the Friday nights but we are going to be opening Saturday mornings again."

Mr Beck said lunch was always a rush and they had an established morning coffee crowd who were peeking in the windows waiting for the cafe to reopen after his last day on New Year's Eve.