Heart of the City: A food champion worth celebrating
The Heart of the City column - in partnership with Invercargill Central - puts a focus on inner city Invercargill and reaffirms the area's status as the heart of the city.
The weekly Heart of the City column is backed by Invercargill Central. Visit invercargillcentral.nz for more info about what’s on offer at Invercargill Central.
Regulars at one of Invercargill’s most popular inner city hospitality offerings will already be aware of the gem that is Kate French.
French is the owner of The Batch, a cafe on the corner of Spey St and Deveron St.
Since it opened in 2011, The Batch has held onto a reputation as one of the go-to spots for both locals and visitors in the heart of the city in Invercargill.
She is also a champion for all things Southland food, from tourism opportunities to building food security within the province.
While many in Invercargill already knew of French’s deeds in the sector, a spotlight has just been shone on her work nationally.
French has been named by the Cuisine Magazine in its list of New Zealand’s Top 50 Women in Food & Drink.
It caught her a little off-guard. French is still unaware who nominated her, but she is grateful for that nomination and then to be selected by the judges in Cuisine’s Top 50 list.
“It’s Cuisine Magazine, it’s an iconic New Zealand food magazine and that is the bit that got me… It’s a real honour to be listed in that.
“I have so much respect for Cuisine, they do such a good job at getting outside of the cities and keeping the regional stories alive and at the forefront, and making sure they are in touch with what is happening right down in Invercargill,” French said.
The Batch is no stranger to winning awards, although French admits it is a little different, and somewhat difficult, having her own name thrust into the spotlight with this honour when she feels it’s a team effort.
French’s origins in hospitality can be traced back to her high school days in Invercargill when she worked part time at the Seriously Good Chocolate Factory.
During her university days as a student, she jokes it was her caffeine addiction that led her to working in a cafe to help get her coffee fix.
“I started in a cafe, and it was awesome. I just loved getting to chat to all sorts of people from all sorts of walks of life. It was just a really enjoyable environment and way to spend a day, so I thought this was something I could make a go of.”
French approached Donna and Gareth Hamilton, who at the time owned Three Bean on Dee St in Invercargill.
It was a popular cafe that was so busy that people were willing to wait half an hour for a table opening, given its appeal.
French was upfront with them that she wanted to make a go of it in the industry and wanted to come and learn from them, because they clearly knew what they were doing, she said.
At the time Donna and Gareth Hamilton were starting The Batch and they asked French to work for them there.
Twelve months into that, French ended up buying into the business.
“Here we are 14 years later,” French told The Tribune.
Her passion for the Southland food scene is obvious.
French is an active member of the Murihiku Kai Collective, the Hospitality Association Southland Branch, sits on the Southland Chamber of Commerce Board and is involved the Eat NZ Kaitaki army.
“This acknowledgement is a product of the food system and a really strong community that has allowed me to do what I do.
“It’s in such a positive space in Southland. Food in Southland is having a real moment. There is a lot of effort going in, a lot of energy going into it.
“The food system is so broad. Right from kids without lunches and food - and that’s heartbreaking - right through to the food tourism for us in the region, the coastline we’ve got for aquaculture. It is such a broad conversation.
“Lou [Evans] with her Wee magazine, there is just a whole lot of positivity. Our Farmers Market is absolutely booming at the moment… There are just so many people that it comes down to.
“There are so many people making an effort to amplify our food story.”
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Should have also said well-done to Kate French and her team, she runs a very nice cafe.
Interesting background story, the further development of Southlands' food network on a localised basis is to be commended.