Raglan’s first vegetarian and vegan café Clover opens its doors soon with soups and salads to tantalise your tastebuds.
Mother and daughter foodies Teresa and Annika are the brains and brawn behind the little food enterprise that takes over the spot on Volcom Lane Soul Shoes used to occupy.
The pair have put their culinary and creative talents together to transform the shoe shop into a funky takeaway café, mixing plywood geometrics, cool steel bench seats and tables and Annika’s art on the walls and floor.
And they come with excellent food credentials behind them, Teresa built the ice cream shop Roll Up into a popular haven for Tex Mex-style food lovers as well as remaining one of the best little ice cream stores in Raglan.
“Our vegetarian options at Tex Mex are so popular, we knew there was a need for tasty vegetarian and vegan cooking in Raglan,” Teresa says.
Annika, who is a vegetarian herself, has worked alongside her mum since 2014 when she was 15 and took time out for a year to work at Mr Milton’s Canteen in Hamilton to learn the art of making coffee.
Along the way she picked up some culinary skills she hopes to put to use at Clover.
“I really wanted to learn how to make great coffee and it was good to spend timed learning new skills in a new environment,” Annika says.
The mother and daughter duo will draw on the hearty recipes and all-time favourites loved by their family.
Adding to mix Annika’s love of vegetarian and vegan fare, the pair are set to deliver wholesome fresh soups, salads and other delights.
The soups and salads on the menu will change depending on what’s available but the pair are not prepared to compromise on taste.
“We love good food in our family and putting tasty meals on the table is an important part of family life. There will definitely be love and deliciousness in our recipes at Clover,” Annika says.
Their American roots will also shine through in the recipes on offer with one of the family favourites an authentic minestrone soup sure to be hit.
The formula of cooking family recipes from the heart certainly worked for the menu at Tex Mex with most of the items on offer coming from family recipes.
“We know that if it’s a hit with our family it will be a hit with our customers,” Teresa says.
Working alongside Annika and Teresa will be sisters Keira and Aria who have also played an integral role at Roll Up and Tex Mex, plus expect to see some of the awesome staff also working at Clover.
Clover is due to open the second week of August – serving delicious vegetarian and vegan food Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the winter.
Janine Jackson
