Peter Armstrong of AOPANZ, Dave Paterson and Lucy Campbell – owners of Coro Club Cafe; little Leo is interested in the trophy; Alesha Innes – Front of House Manager; Brent Ferguson – Life member and past president of AOPANZ. Unfortunately, Niklas Brandt, inset photo, the Manager of the Coro Club had Covid the day the visitors arrived to present the winning trophy.
Peter Armstrong, member of the National Executive flew from Ardmore in Auckland and Brent Ferguson, life member and Past President of the Association, flew from Nelson. There are over 2,000 members New Zealand wide.
How does this selection process work? One café is chosen every year by all the pilots visiting different airport cafes around the country and voting on their experience (there are a large number of cafes; every airport has one). The best café is selected from all around New Zealand. There are criteria on which pilots vote – the food quality, taste and variety, and the best hospitality. The coffee and prepared drinks are also judged.
The owners of Coro Club Cafe, Dave Paterson and Lucy Campbell, are very leased to have their café win this national award, but they are very quick to give the credit to the two people who have made it possible.
Niklas Brandt and Alesha Innes together manage the Coro Club Cafe and they are responsible for this award being a reality. They set the tone for the café, build the staff team and cook all the amazing food. There is often a race to purchase the cinnamon buns which are a specialty of Nik’s as the news of delectable texture and generous coating has travelled.
The Coro Club attracts a lot of people for brunch and lunch and afters. It’s a five-minute drive from Whitianga and on the main highway to most places. It’s a nice get away from being in town and often there is quite a bit of airport activity with different planes taking off and landing. It’s of great interest and right next to the Barrier Air office.
Nik and Alesha also organise and host special food events in The Hangar, a large hospitality and event space located directly behind the cafe. This area accommodates large formal dinners, weddings, parties, dances and speaking engagements, all part of the Coro Club Café service to the community.
This first place is well-earned.
