120 | BUSINESS Fern & Feta T T Rosa Watson Platter business going from strength to strength Lucy Gilbert: “It’s quite cool to reflect on my business and think, actually, I’ve done alright.” An idea over a few wines at a New Year party five years ago went on to become a successful business that was recognised at this year’s ANZ Business of the Year Awards, Ashburton District. Fern & Feta, a catering company that provides grazing tables and platters, was named a finalist in the emerging business category at the event held in Ashburton in February. Owner Lucy Gilbert said it was a surreal experience to be named alongside high profile businesses in the district such as Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Quigley Feeds and Berry Beauty. Friends had encouraged her to enter the awards. “I thought, why not? (It’s) pretty cool to spotlight your business. “It’s quite cool to reflect on my business and think, actually, I’ve done alright.” It all started in January 2019 when she and a friend were putting together a platter for New Year celebrations. “I remember saying they look really good, we should be selling these.” A Facebook page was created shortly after. The following morning, the page had 50 followers. “I thought right, I can’t really back out now.” And so, the business was started out of her Winchmore kitchen with only $500 to invest, most early customers being friends. What she had not anticipated was the licensing involved in setting up a food business. “I didn’t realise exactly what was involved.” Things grew from there and she was soon creating two to three grazing tables a month. When Covid lockdown came along in March 2020, she was made redundant from her job as a travel agent and was also due to have her first child. She had to pivot, and started creating “isolation platter boxes” that she could deliver contactless to people’s doors. “That really got my name out there.” She was delivering 20 to 30 platter boxes a week. “That was really cool because people were sending each other gifts.” The business is now creating up to 20 platters and grazing tables a week, all created in Lucy’s trusty kitchen. She has two casual staff available when she needs help. She caters for large corporate events with grazing tables as large as 10 metres long, or grazing platters dotted around the event. While she still provides platters and individual lunch boxes, the business is moving more towards grazing tables, which she said took just as long to organise and prepare as the smaller ones. “The plan down the track is to have an actual corporate section.” Her business takes her as far as Rangiora to Geraldine. She has also catered weddings in Wanaka and Queenstown. But most of her work remains in Ashburton, Methven and Christchurch, the latter she hopes to build on. “One of my big focusses is Christchurch.” With a baby on the way, things don’t look like slowing down. Along with making the food look beautiful and maintaining a high standard of quality, sourcing locally produced Canterbury products where possible was also important, Lucy said. With recent hikes in food prices, she has worked hard to maintain that quality, having to pass on the costs to customers. “With quality like that you have to charge for it. The quality of my food is so important, so there’s not much I can do other than increase the prices. “That’s what I’ve had to do unfortunately. “My big motto is I want quality. I don’t want to produce a platter that anyone can produce.” “My big motto is I want quality. I don’t want to produce a platter that anyone can produce.” The mo beautiful, fresh, locally sourced grazing tables and grazing platters in Canterbury. PLATTERS FERN FETA Lucy 027 8686 022 | fernandfeta@outlook.com | fernandfetaplatters.com 75 Moore Street, Ashburton (03) 308 4050 Ashburton Open 7 Days 8.00am - 9.00pm
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