MEET THE CREW...
VJ Srinivasan |
CO-FOUNDER & Chef
With over 18 years various experience across the hospitality industry from dish-boy and front of house, to management, and cooking in award-winning cafes and restaurants... he is now stepping over the precipice to ownership, so he can bring you the next level of eatery in New Plymouth!
One of VJ's greatest passions is food (the others being motorbike riding, and family.... in no particular order!!); with eating being such a large part of family and community life both here and in India - his native hometown. Having married into his wife Mel's close-knit Maori family, where food again is an important part of togetherness... the love for food and how it enriches life is woven through all areas of VJ's life both past and present.
What he looks forward to most right now (apart from riding his bike...) is bringing a new vibe to the space that Pikopiko occupies - bringing community and learning, nourishing people and providing enrichment to lives, with togetherness and experiences.... bringing families together to eat great food under one roof... over a cold brew or a warm latte... in front of the fire or out near the garden... however the mood takes you!
Good food + good people = good times.
AAron birch |
CO-FOUNDER & Chef
Back ground information
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Puhangatohora te maunga
Ko Puna itere te awak
Punakitere
Te awa
Ko Taheke te marae
Ko Ngati Pakau te hapu
Ko Ngapuhi te iwi
Ko Kevin raua ko Patricia oku maatua
Ko Joanna toku hoa wahine
Ko Liana taku tamahine
Ko Aaron ahau no reira tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa
Kia Ora my name is Aaron, I am of both Maori and European decent as stated above, my iwi is Ngapuhi, and I have currently 12 years’ experience within the hospitality industry, predominately as a chef. However, I have worked as bar man, waiter, guest service attendant, concierge, and night
auditor.
I am very passionate about the hospitality industry, mainly because it can have the ability to bring families and communities together, by providing an exciting range of different cuisines and creating an atmosphere where people can sit, relax, talk, and share with close friends and family.
I personally believe that hospitality in New Zealand is growing at a substantial rate forever changing and bettering the community helping provide new insight into food giving ideas to those wanting to learn, and inspiring themselves to try different cuisines, whilst embracing other foods originating
from various cultures.
My interests are of course cooking, going to the gym, playing rugby, playing drums, and most importantly spending time with my daughter Liana.
