People’s Choice Finalists for JJ’s
Just over two years ago Jess and
Josh left their city life behind to
bring their daughter up in rural
Whangarei.
The Auckland couple relocated
in 2015, a move they saw as a
positive one for their daughter.
“We could never afford the lifestyle
we wanted for her in the city so
we moved up here.”
Within a year of their move, the
couple made another big decision.
They decided to combine their
experience in hospitality to
purchase a lunch bar on Bank
Street.
Josh had formerly been a sous
chef at Sails in Auckland and Jess
a bar and restaurant manager at
various restaurants. Together, the
pair knew they had the capacity
to turn the small lunch bar into
their dream premises.
“So basically we were given a
whole heap of advice,” says Jess.
“We just ignored all of that and did
what we wanted.”
Whatever they did to the place
worked, as JJ’s Kitchen and Coffee
House is now renowned for their
mouth-watering catering service
and perfect coffees. So much
so, that they’ve been nominated
as a ‘More FM People’s Choice’
finalist in the Westpac Business
Excellence Awards this year.
“We stuck to our guns,” says Jess.
“So when people were telling us
we needed to be one thing, we
put up art work we wanted and
chose to play music which makes
us happy. JJ’s reflects who we
Now taking bookings for Christmas!
We can provide offsite catering for any event from office
meetings to fine dining for 5 to 200 guests.
Get in touch with Josh
Phone: 02102551594 or (09) 438 3489,
Email: [email protected]
are.”
The couple have well and truly
embraced country life too. They
live on their lifestyle block in
Pipiwai and commute daily to
work at their cafe on Bank Street.
“We couldn’t wish for a better
lifestyle,” says Jess. “We’re so
lucky to have such amazing
customers and friends up here.”
The winners of the Westpac
Business
Awards
will
be
announced on October 27. Jess
and Josh say they are just happy
to make the finals.
“It’s such a humbling experience.”
For more information check out their
Facebook page- www.facebook.
com/jjskitchenandcoffeehouse