The region's top business award will not look at all out of place at the premises of Total Food Equipment in Napier.
The Hawke's Bay Today Supreme Business of the Year trophy, designed and made by EIT art student Noel Simmonds, was constructed from 60 spoons forming a stylised tall poppy
design to fit in with the awards theme of standing out from the crowd.
The 12-year-old Bower Street business, which sells cutlery and just about every kind of kitchen accoutrement imaginable, won the top award after winning two of the eight categories at the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce event held at the Pettigrew-Green Arena in Taradale.
The business won the Bartercard Excellence in Retail Award and The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Medium Business Award categories.
Master of Ceremonies John Newland said the judges felt business owners Mike and Kristin McLay had all aspects of their business right, particularly planning, merchandising, financial performance systems and marketing. He described the shop as the "ultimate foodies Mecca".
The business, which offers classes in-house to enhance local kitchen expertise, also scooped the awards because its highly trained staff offered considerable product knowledge, which together with the well laid-out shop and eye-catching displays made for a pleasant shopping experience, Mr Newland said.
"The company has been working to its plan for some years with regular updates as new opportunities present themselves. Systems are documented right down to recommended telephone scripts and company policies," he said.
Total Food Equipment was a Hawke's Bay success story starting with a modest investment and growing to become a well-established business identity now looking to expand outside of the region.
Receiving the Excellence in Retail Award was a "very humbling" experience, Mr McLay said.
When he received the Medium Business Award he said "it's about now I wish I had prepared a speech" before praising his wife, who was away on business in Dunedin, and his staff.
"I'm very proud of how the business has developed."
Receiving the supreme award, Mr McLay noted: "In the last 50 minutes I have made more speeches than I have made in the last 50 years."
The region's top business award will not look at all out of place at the premises of Total Food Equipment in Napier.
The Hawke's Bay Today Supreme Business of the Year trophy, designed and made by EIT art student Noel Simmonds, was constructed from 60 spoons forming a stylised tall poppy
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