With its artfully designed space, locally-sourced
treasures for sale and delectable food on offer, every detail of this café has been thoughtfully curated.

Words Hayley Barnett

As far as locals go, Gather is up there with the best. The vibe, the crowd, the food. It’s slightly bigger than a hole in the wall, but everything just works. And not one bit of it is an accident. Chatting with owner Steph Meaden, it’s obvious there was a very clear focus when she and husband Sam took over the Pāpāmoa spot three years ago.

“We knew we wanted to run a neighbourhood café but we both agreed it had to be three things – good for the community, good for the body and good for the environment,” explains Steph.

Having spent most of the first year behind the counter with their first baby in a front pack, this wasn’t easy to execute, especially during Covid 19 when supplies were limited and there were very few customers. But this is a couple who knows an opportunity when they see one.

They first opened the Tay Street Store two years prior to opening Gather, selling local products (mainly created by innovative and entrepreneurial friends), with the aim of branching out into food. When Gather came up for sale in 2020 the couple jumped at it. They had a bit of experience with a coffee caravan business , Lulu Coffee, which was a great first taste of the hospitality scene. It was just lucky they weren’t put off by dire times.

Today Gather is run by an all-women team, bar Sam who runs the finance and payroll back of house. Their head chef, Dominique Rojo Vivot, is Argentinian and the menu is largely influenced by her home country’s cuisine, with a colourful, vegan twist. The cheese puffs, vegan carrot cake and chimmi chilli eggs have all become loyal customer favourites. Thank goodness they’re staying on the upcoming, otherwise-new winter menu.

Steph and Sam aren’t chefs themselves but they were inspired by the very “farm to plate vibe” that they picked up on their travels overseas. “When we came home, we realised there’s an abundance of good food out there – you just need to know where to get it from,” says Steph.

Keeping in line with their noble ethos, they worked with their friends
– Mt Atkinson Coffee – who has a direct trade relationship with Ugandan coffee farmers and gives back through village projects. It does, however, come all the way from Auckland, which is quite a way away for Steph and Sam these days. A lot of product in the café is close to fully local, even the wide array of wares, skincare and clothing they sell in store. The clothing is actually designed by Dominique herself. Steph and the multi-talented chef even have plans to start their own pantry range.

With another baby in the front pack, Steph and Sam certainly have their
work cut out for them, but that’s all part of the fun.

“One day we’ll get back on the road – that’s kind of the idea of setting up a business!” she laughs. But right now, they’re both enjoying being part of a community which has embraced them and their passion for all things local and delicious. 

gatherpapamoa.co.nz