Antipodes, fine dining at its best in Rarotonga

A stylish town eatery A stylish town eatery with hangout appeal with hangout appeal

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF INTERESTING PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK ON RAROTONGA, BUT THERE IS ONE POPULAR EATERY THAT JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND WILL HAPPEN UPON!

hospitality course, similar to the one Martina completed. Once qualified he was headhunted and moved to South Africa ‘to join a circus’

Located next to the as side-kick to the owner. CITC Pharmacy in downtown Avarua, The Lucky Rooster Eatery (formerly Café Salsa) has what all food and beverage businesses crave: location, location, location. And it is a Armin described it as an ambitious project similar to Cirque du Soleil. “The world tour started in Montreal, but soon the eccentric owner went bankrupt!” great place to hang out! On return to Switzerland he The eatery’s owners Martina Uhlig and Armin Schwander are from Switzerland. Arriving in Rarotonga three years ago the longtime friends and business partners have developed the original café into a stylish eatery and popular meeting place, Another skill Martina acquired was the teaching of yoga. “I also registered for a Chinese medicine school, but wanted to travel before committing to the course”. It was at this time Martina planned to meet up with Armin in Fiji. Armin was worked for a communications and event company managing a converted cinema in Zurich, where he met Martina, who was working for a company that held events in the venue. Armin and Martina have been close friends and fellow travellers since! recently Both had including separate business an outside interests that catering often kept them component apart, until for events and they met up in weddings. Rarotonga in According February 2016. the Martina “We had such and Armin a great time The Lucky in Raro we Rooster Eatery wondered if staff have we could buy a given them business or work an insight here.” into the local culture and communities: “We have learned a lot from them, and they have learned from us. It is a beautiful exchange in cultural knowledge,” both partners agree. Armin and Martina’s professional backgrounds are the similar, but different. Martina is from Zurich, Armin from Lucerne. Both have travelled extensively, individually and together, and both have worked in events and hospitality. arriving from Mexico, Martina from Bali. Three days before the reunion Cyclone Winston happened around Fiji. Travel plans quickly changed and they met in Rarotonga instead, a place they had never heard of before, but was to change their life plans forever! “When I was doing the big events, Armin was an event manager in one of the venues. That's how we met”. A few days before they were due to fly out they heard Café Salsa was for sale, looked it over and decided to buy. “Something felt special, beautiful and magical here in the Cook Islands!” said Martina. “We were at the right time, at the right place, making the right decision.” “We saw the potential of the place and we knew the lifestyle that comes with it! Being business partners made it possible for one of us to be here, while the other one Armin and Martina, fun owners of The Lucky Rooster Eatery As a teenager at language travelled!” added Armin. college Martina recalls wanting: “to experience life, have money, and travel!” She speaks Swiss German, High German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. “Café Salsa was a strong brand on the island, but we don’t serve Central or South American food, so we decided on a new name more connected to the area. Included in the varied places Martina has worked are Fresh and healthy homemade food One animal that everyone sees and hears in Rarotonga Cape Verde, the Maldives, Armin is from Lucerne. He are the roosters. They are the Galapagos Islands, and speaks German, French and everywhere; we have made Thailand. English. When at school he our peace with ours,” said started a commercial business Martina. Something felt special, beautiful and magical here in the Cook Islands! apprenticeship and became a textile tradesman for huge corporate company, but he yearned to see the world so he moved to Guernsey to work in a five star resort as a bartender, which gained him valuable expertise from bartending professionals. “We made them part of our new brand name: The Lucky Rooster Eatery. We changed the ‘café’ part of our name too, because we are not just a place for coffee and cake. We are an eatery that proudly prepares fresh and healthy homemade foods daily for our Martina completed a After returning to Switzerland customers”. three-year course with the Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality, which led her to be employed by a catering and events company that specialised in “super big working for a promotion company, he got a job bar keeping on a German cruise ship, “The German version of the Love Boat – they were shooting a TV series”. “Rarotonga is the greatest place on Earth; the vibe and the energy of this place is outstanding. It just makes me happy!” beamed Martina. events”. At one time Martina was employed by one of the country’s best-known companies that published cookbooks and consulted for supermarket chains. She “When I came off the ship I worked for the mother company of the same company as Martina worked in. I was doing ‘bar concepts’, and ended up assistant general manager”. Armin added: “The beauty of the environment, of the people, the smell of the ocean, … and I want to become a good kite surfer.” Fb & Instagram: theluckyroostereatery scouted different countries to check out product trends. After more travel Armin did a three-year tourism and Homepage: theluckyroostereatery.com

Antipodes,

an Epic Name for an Epic Restaurant

Dining views over the South Pacific Ocean

JOCELYN BALLANTYNE IS THE UNPRETENTIOUS CHEF AT ANTIPODES, A CLASSY, ‘IN-DEMAND’ RESTAURANT IN RAROTONGA WELL KNOWN FOR IT’S DELECTABLE MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED CUISINE.

Jocelyn is one of the most was a magnificent private appealing and original home. voices in recent years to enter the Rarotonga restaurant scene, the kind of chef who can tempt the palate of ordinary people who just like to eat well and enjoy their food. At the time, we thought it would be the perfect place to set up a business specialising in weddings, events, with a restaurant and boutique accommodation. Antipodes is not the cheapest eatery in town, but with Trip Advisor’s number one restaurant rating in Rarotonga for value, service and food, one patron recently described it as a ‘top spot for top-end dining.’ Located within a cliff-top Mediterranean-style villa at Black Rock near Avarua, Antipodes offers matchless views over the sparkling South Pacific Ocean. In 2017 the property came on the market, we purchased it and over the next seven months, carried out extensive renovations of the building to convert it in such a way that it could accommodate our commercial plans. Everything we imagined we would do with the property, we finally achieved in reality. Antarctica each year to spend time in the tropical paradise of Rarotonga between the months of July through to the end of October. From our three spacious outside dining terraces patrons can observe magnificent whale breaching and tailOccupying one of the slapping displays. loveliest, airy spaces of any restaurant on the island, Antipodes is open for dinner six nights a week (except Tuesdays), and for lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Not only is Jocelyn Ballantyne the executive chef, she owns the joint! So, we asked her Superb accommodation at Antipodes to tell us a little about herself and the concept behind Antipodes. The Antipodes menu No other restaurant in Professional background Rarotonga specialises in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. We provide Trained in New Zealand. patrons with a menu that is Worked on Waiheke Island exceptionally varied, with at a number of well-known dishes from a number of restaurants. Prior to acquiring countries situated in the the Antipodes site, spent last Mediterranean region.around eight years working at the four most exclusive resorts on Rarotonga and, in last two as Executive Chef. Top spot for top-end dining.

The creation of

Antipodes Twelve years ago whilst on a holiday in Rarotonga, my partner and I came across this Mediterranean style villa at Blackrock, which at the time Antipodes ambience Antipodes has a unique location perched on top of the Blackrock Cliff that affords it commanding views out over the lagoon and the South Pacific Ocean. The ‘romantic’ Mediterranean villa is very photogenic. The position and way Antipodes has been built, provides maximum protection from the elements. And, Antipodes is perfectly situated to take in the magnificent sunsets. Antipodes is also arguably the best spot on the island to easily view the Humpback Whales that migrate from The sign says it all Jocelyn Ballantyne: executive chef and co-owner of Antipodes

Antipodes, the specialty caterer and accommodation provider

The renovations we carried out converted the building and site to accommodate weddings and events. A luxurious 115 sq.metre bridal suite was created on the eastern side of the property, which can accommodate up to four adults in two en-suite bedrooms that lead out to the suites' private 200 sq.metre courtyard - complete with a pool on the cliff edge looking out to the ocean.

Entertainment at Antipodes

On Sunday evenings Antipodes has its ' Sunday Sunset Session', which features live local entertainment. Each Sunday of the month has a different entertainer.

Antipodes, the future

To continue with our treasured Antipodes team, to each day try our best to provide outstanding dining experiences for our guests. And, to build Antipodes up to be the premier venue to enjoy a romantic meal, celebrate weddings and anniversaries, and other special events. Above all, to remain respectful and hospitable to all our patrons!

Antipodes Restaurant

ONE OF THE MOST UNDERSTATED CAFÉS ON RAROTONGA RESIDES WITHIN THE HISTORIC BEACHCOMBER BUILDING JUST OUTSIDE AVARUA, WHICH ALSO HOUSES AN ART GALLERY AND AN UPMARKET GIFT SHOP. IT IS SIMPLY CALLED THE CAFÉ.

The Café is home to the Vinyl Revival Club with its astonishing collection of 60s, 70s, and 80s, and Polynesian, vinyl records ranging from Bobby Darin, The Monkees and Diana Ross, to Elvis Presley, The Troggs, and Aretha Franklin.

Customers can personally select and play their own music to accompany their coffee, cake, or light meal. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch Monday to Saturday, The Café serves up first-rate espresso coffee, homemade cakes and tasty fresh food, including vegetarian and vegan options. Try some of the all time favourites such as smoked marlin salad and feta olive focaccia, or toasted bagel, salmon and cream cheese! Lots of character with a lovely shaded courtyard, this unique little treasure of Rarotonga is about as laid back as it comes on the island. P.S. The Vinyl Revival Club ‘mobile disco’ operated by DJ Wheelie (Ian Wheeldon) also makes regular appearances at clubs and pubs around the island, including Trader Jacks and the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club.

About as laid back as it comes on the island.

Owner Claire shows off the latest addition to the vinyl record collection

Coffee and cake at The Café

PHILLIP NORDT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY ENTREPRENEUR WHO HAS BEEN MOVING TOWARDS HIS DESTINY IN RAROTONGA SINCE THE 1980S. HE CAN THANK HIS MOTHER FOR HAVING THE VISION TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND WITH HER TWO SONS ON A CAMPERVAN TRIP SEEKING OUT OPPORTUNITIES.

Today Phillip is a Rarotonga resident, master chef , master baker and restaurateur, whose energy is boundless. Self confessed gourmet La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’s Christchurch chapter, now he heads up the Cook Islands chapter, which he started. Born in Landau, after two years national service in Germany, Phillip became a management trainee with the Vier Jahreszeiten Munich (hotel), studied hospitality and tourism in Vienna, and was a commercial sales manager with the Grand Metropolitan Hotel Group in Frankfurt. for Phillip who met the right people to help him build on, and invested in, a range of cafés, restaurants, clubs, and a hotel marketing & an inbound tourism operation. Phillip also became passionately involved with the international gastronomic society, Married to Frances (the Cook Islands connection), they have two children Hanny (21) and Harry (20). Chef Phillip Nordt, selfconfessed gourmet, has worked for Pacific Resorts and CITTI in Rarotonga, but is now the owner of OTB On the Years later he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts in Dunedin and became a culinary arts tutor, most recently at the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) in Rarotonga. Beach Restaurant & Bar at Manuia Beach Resort. At the 2018 Cook Islands Tourism Awards, OTB won the ‘Emerging Tourism Leader Award’. It’s been a long journey from Landau to Rarotonga, New Zealand was a but Phillip knows it has goldmine of opportunities OTB On the Beach Restaurant & Bar been worth it!

Culinary entrepreneur, Phillip Nordt

SHOPPING

Handcrafted ‘Back Yard’ Tours of Rarotonga

LOCAL PERSONALITY AND BLOSSOMING ENTREPRENEUR MEREANI TALBOT IS ACTIVE IN MANY SECTORS OF THE RAROTONGA COMMUNITY, BUT THE ENDEAVOR SHE IS MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT IS HER BACK YARD ‘ARTS & CRAFTS’ TOURS.

Born in Manihiki, Ani (as she is best known), spent most of her childhood in Auckland, and most of her working life in New Zealand and Australia in the IT industry, but that’s another story. She returned to the Cook Islands a few years ago with her family, particularly wanting her two boys to connect with their Cook Islands heritage. Ani is now the perfect host and tour guide, personable and knowledgeable about the forgotten and often rarely seen local artists and craftsmen, including wood experience in Rarotonga,” said Ani. “Cook Islands arts and crafts are so beautiful and the opportunity to meet our talented locals and see how they make their products right here in Rarotonga. carvers, weavers, ukulele this unique experience Back Yard Tours travel in an airmakers, shell-carvers and Ani Talbot of Back Yard Tours gives our guests a sense of conditioned van in small groups, jewellery designers. Back Yard Tours also visit makers of coconut oil skin care products, pareu (sarongs), and black pearl jewellery. The list goes on! Most tours will visit eight or nine places, depending on what people are open on the day of the tour. interesting and fun ‘shopping experience’ for both the shopper, and the non-shopper! The tour travels around the island visiting the skilled artisans in villages, workshops, and literally some backyards! appreciation for what these artists and vendors do”. Ani added: “Nearly everyone who visits the Cooks wants to purchase a special gift for others, or a keepsake to remind them of the wonderful time they had in Rarotonga. Many want with a minimum of two guests, and a maximum of eight. The tour generally takes between 3 and 4 hours, including pick up and drop off. T: 26 457 or 81 899 E: bookabackyardtour@gmail.com A three-hour+ Rarotonga Back “This is the only combined to buy locally made; Backyard Fb: www.facebook.com/ Yard ‘Arts & Crafts’ Tour is an cultural and shopping tour Tours offers overseas visitors backyardtoursrarotonga/

Treasure Chest

'A SHOPPING TREAT'

Rarotonga's largest selection range of island clothing and footwear, together with an extensive range of souvenirs, craft and gift ideas.

FOUR GREAT SHOPS:

Mana Court in Avarua (Tel. 22325) The Edgewater Resort (Tel. 28325) Pacific Village Muri (Tel. 21325) and, The Rarotonga Beach Resort (Tel. 27325) treasure@oyster.net.ck