A decade of delectable dining at River Kitchen

In a world that's all about relishing good, nourishing food, the team at River Kitchen recently celebrated their remarkable tenyear anniversary. Founded on the principle of crafting scrumptious, wholesome meals, the milestone marks a decade of dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to providing a wonderful customer experience.

Owners Clare and Blue Fleming have spent a lifetime in the industry, hospitality is practically a part of their DNA. Clare's grew while working in her family's restaurant in England, while Blue's culinary journey took him through kitchens across the world before establishing his own Cornish Pastry Shop. Relocating to Nelson in 2006, the couple purchased the beloved Milton Street Fish and Chip shop, prior to opening their riverside cafe in 2013. "River Kitchen is truly a labour of love for our family,” says Clare. “From day one, we've had family members contributing, even my brotherin-law joined us as our chef. Over the years, our daughters have also been part of the team, which has been a wonderful experience for them. Our focus has always been on delivering consistently exceptional, fresh, and delicious products. Quality is paramount and we never cut corners.” Staying relevant in the hospitality realm is crucial, says Clare, with the couple continually evolving their seasonal menu and meeting customer's needs. “Alongside our customers, our most cherished asset is undoubtedly our team. Their dedication and camaraderie make every day enjoyable and without them River Kitchen wouldn't be what it is today.” Infused with a commitment to using fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, the team consistently goes above and beyond to cater to their customer's needs. Clare and Blue's love for the hospitality industry is evident. "We just love the industry, the people we meet and the general buzz of the job. And there's something magical about consuming freshly harvested food – better taste, better value, and, of course, it's a step towards a more sustainable planet.”

Celebrating their milestone, the River Kitchen team took some well-deserved time out for an evening of ten-pin bowl- ing and a night out with their dedicated crew. “Everyone dressed up as someone famous and we had an absolute blast. It was so much fun!”

After a week filled with serving celebratory cupcakes, special giveaways and spot prizes, Clare and the team look forward to launching a new spring menu in the upcoming weeks. Looking to the future and many more sunshine-filled summers by the river, Clare says, “We love people, we love creating great food and most of all we love our River Kitchen, we have the best spot in Nelson! With the change of season upon us we will be introducing delicious new salads made from seasonal produce and are looking forward to the lovely spring days!”