"I was thrilled and still am. It's great having your restaurant headed by a wonderful European-trained chef. We're very lucky."
Originally from Hamburg in Germany, Mr Fritzenwanker came to Patea to meet up with a friend - now his wife. He had worked previously at two small restaurants in Stratford and Hawera.
His aim is to cook and serve fresh food, seasonal produce like asparagus served in a simple way so as not to destroy any of the flavours and that means no hefty sauces, he said.
"This is very important to me ... the real flavour of the food."
Sourcing local produce was integral, he said.
The coffee used is called Devil's Cut and is prepared by Patea man Kevin Murrow who roasts the Fair Trade beans out the back of his house in Patea.
But Mr Murrow said even though he was supplying coffee to mail order customers and locals he wasn't ready to be photographed and have a story advertising his backyard business just yet.
"I am building a new roaster and it's important I get that finished first."
Also local and well-known throughout the district for years are the sausages from the Normanby butcher five minutes up the road.
If there's one thing Germans know about it's good sausages, Mr Fritzenwanker said.
"Germans are famous worldwide for sausages. These local sausages are award-winning and very, very good."
Adding to the fine mix of local products is the national award-winning gelato ice cream from the cafe Gelato in Hawera.
"It is amazing, it really is."
The restaurant has a very relaxed atmosphere, and is airy and spacious with dining available inside and out in the garden.
The menu is changed monthly and Mr Fritzenwanker and Mrs Nicholson also work on the catering for large functions like weddings, special family dinners and business gatherings.
Last year the people chose the Black & White Restaurant and Cafe for the Beef and Lamb People's Choice Award in the Taranaki region.
"We were delighted because we were a very new restaurant so it came at a good time for us."
