Masterton eateries join forces

The personalities behind two Masterton eateries are joining forces to create a 70-seater cafe and restaurant and taking on almost 30 staff.

Tripoli's Marlon Tortoza and Massa Deli Kitchen's Wayne DellaBarca will open Iberia in mid- to late November at the new Sun Court complex on Queen St, created by developer Florus Bosch.

Although still in the planning stages, it is expected the restaurant will need about 25 part-time staff and four full-time staff for the seven-day a week operation.

With many years of hospitality experience behind them, he and Mr DellaBarca decided to team up to create a much-needed casual dining establishment for Masterton.

"It's a big project and I thought having someone who was experienced enough would be a great advantage, and that's where Wayne has come in handy," Mr Tortoza said.

The focus will be on coffee during the day, but it will serve food from brunch through to dinner and Mr Tortoza's pizza would still be available.

They struggle to put one label on the cuisine but say they will be influenced by their shared heritage and experiences - Spanish, Brazilian, Italian, French and Kiwi between them.

Kuripuni restaurant Tripoli will be merged with the new restaurant, and will stay open until Iberia opens its doors.

Massa Deli Kitchen is under new ownership as Ooh La La Lola Catering's Carolyn Corrin has taken the reins.

Ooh La La Lola needed a new kitchen, and Mrs Corrin saw an opportunity to add a shop to the nearly-year-old business.

It will keep its name, but there will be some slight changes to the menu. Gelato and coffee are staying, but there will be more of a focus on gluten-free and dairy-free foods and Mrs Corrin's French crepes will also be available.

Mrs Corrin is new to the food business. An artist and long-time student, she has studied cooking and baking during the past couple of years, retrained in the past few years in cooking and baking which she describes as a "reinvention".

"I love it," Mrs Corrin said. "I see food as an extension of art and I just love trying different things."