Piopio’s Fat Pigeon

from Nourish Magazine Waikato Spring 2020

Events

WORDS KATE UNDERWOOD | IMAGES ASHLEE DECAIRES

Recipe Page 18

If the Piopio gas station is the town bloodstream, the Fat Pigeon Cafe is undeniably the heartbeat of this small King Country village. Amidst the thriving rural township sits an inviting, quirky space guaranteed to brighten the long road trip between the Waitomo Caves and the Taranaki Coast. For the last 11 years, owner Melanie Simpson has nurtured a classy, farmhouse-style cafe with the sole purpose to feed hungry locals or travellers and to make sure everyone who enters feels welcome.

The Fat Pigeon has all your culinary desires and dietary bases covered and being located ‘on -the-road’ means its diverse cabinet selection outsells everything. You’ll find all the joyful classics from ham and cheese toasties made with Volare bread, to custard squares, cheese scones (including a gluten free version), a good ol’ mince and cheese pie, club sandwiches and a particularly flavourful, keto-friendly veggie and feta frittata. The bacon and egg savoury has filled many a hole, and Mel's son Roy, the chief quality controller, raves about the Moroccan lamb pita. From the full-scale menu, omelettes are a current favourite, there’s mince on toast, the hearty Fat Pigeon Brekkie and even a green shakshuka for the gourmet-leaning.

For those needing a side of fresh air with their caffeine fix, there’s a covered porch and outdoor wooden tables that stretch out to the Piopio playground — perfect for letting those backseat bandits fly free. In today’s cafe culture where you are only as good as your flat white and your children speak fluent ‘fluffy’, Mel reckons “you’d be buggered without good coffee”. The Fat Pigeon crew pride themselves on making consistently great brews and have always used Taranaki-born Ozone Coffee Roasters, founded by Craig McFarlane, who along with his team have been a huge support over the years.

There’s a generosity that exudes from this SH3 pitstop, that goes beyond the bountiful cabinets, extensive seasonal menu and that sweet little brownie treat that comes with your coffee. The Fat Pigeon Cafe is a true community hub and a genuine must-stop destination on the drive to and from New Plymouth. “I really love the surprise and delight factor,” shares Mel. “We often see people stop here — in a place that feels like there isn’t much going on, then they come inside and are always so excited to have found us.”

There are shelves perched high with a curated selection of food-related gifts. From cookbooks and crockery, to ceramics, beeswax wraps, takeaway coffee cups, gift cards and the much-loved Pepper & Me condiments. Plus the incredible range of local honey, The Keeper Apothecary, a small Piopio business conjuring up specialty honey products infused with chai spices, cacao, turmeric and maca powder.

As a local hospitality legend, naturally, Mel has her fingers in a number of pies, including owning The Night Owl, a bar/bistro, and the Owl’s Nest Motel. Earlier this year, along