Kiwi Kai owner Chris Poipoi making his own mark in the food business. Photo / Stephen Parker
Kiwi Kai owner Chris Poipoi making his own mark in the food business. Photo / Stephen Parker
"Where are we going for our kai?" my son and daughter asked simultaneously from the back seat of the car.
"Well you guys are in for a real treat this evening because I am taking you to a special eating place that is world-famous in Rotorua.
A few minutes latermy young children were mesmerised as they walked through the Joe's Diner shutter doors. "Wow, this is way cool, my son exclaimed." My daughter looked under the table as she sat before saying aloud, "Look there's chewing gum under here." I quickly told her not to eat it in case we got charged extra which set the scene for a memorable eating experience full of laughs, me telling my Joe's Diner stories, yummy burgers and my tamariki (children) meeting more of their relatives who were also at the diner.
My tamariki have fond memories of Joe's Diner which replicate the many memories I have of a place that was always more than a burger bar. If the Rotorua town centre were the marae, then Joe's Diner was the wharekai where you never knew who you would run into, but you always knew you could get a delicious kai. Joe's Diner was not just an eating place, it was an experience.
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou ko to whanau Joe, Thank you Joe.
So recently I returned to the old haunt to support one of my old school buddies, Chris Poipoi. My steak and egg burger order was replaced by a hangi and rewana bread and although the tables and seats have been temporarily removed, eating my kai was enjoyable.
Chris and the team want to ensure the art of making kai such as rewana is not lost and eating my Kiwi Kai reminded me of my mum and Nanny who used to make paraoa all the time.
Chris also hopes to take Kiwi Kai beyond the "marae" of Rotorua to the world, because you never know until you have a go. So it looks like the Joe's Diner experience will live on through the Kiwi Kai experience - less the chewing gum.
Ngahihi o te ra is from Te Arawa and is an International Leadership Speaker, MC and author. Book him for your keynote presentation, training, or seminar by phoning 021482281 or through his website at www.ngahibidois.com
