Taihape's top knotch grandma barista Helen Kelly will only serve the best

Top Grandma barista Helen Kelly. Photo / Lin Ferguson.

Helen Kelly works seven days a week in her coffee cart, Coffee HQ, in the parking area beside the Taihape Railway Station.

Even though her business is a block back from the town's main street Hautapu St, which streams with both north and southbound through traffic, the aroma and flavour of her coffee has attracted the customers.

Her customers range from locals and travellers to truckies commuting through who say "my coffee is the best".

"I've got truckies who are travelling up from Christchurch who say they hang outfor a coffee until they get to my place in Taihape.''

All her customers are amazing, she said.

"Their support is so humbling I promise them all to keep doing what I'm doing. Always make good coffee and give free smiles.''

Good customer service is so important, she said.

"People are really pleased when you're nice to them, smile at them and show you care about them.''

Helen said she has had many years of experience behind her.

"And I am passionate about creating the best coffee in town. I simply wouldn't serve something I wouldn't drink myself ... I'm very fussy.''

Helen has always lived in Mangaweka where, a few years ago, she ran the iconic cafe in the old Mangaweka DC3 plane.

She's now a grandma of six and laughs when she said that considering she only had one child she's a very lucky grandma indeed.

"And I'm happy I've bought the coffee cart. It's the perfect little business for me and its doing so well.''