A glimpse inside Wendy and husband Jon’s beautiful schist home, at the far end of Clyde’s main street, gives a substantial clue to their past life – that is, life before settling in Clyde seven years ago.

Wendy has a strong-rooted history in Central Otago on both sides of her family. She was born in Ranfurly and she can claim ancestors who lived in Oturehua, Blackstone Hill and

Naseby – she is a Maniototo girl born and bred.

After leaving school, Wendy’s first job in Invercargill brought about a chance meeting with husband-to-be Jon, a young advertising executive. Following their marriage, they moved to Dunedin and then on to Auckland, arriving in the late 1960s, with a nine month old baby and not knowing a soul. However, Auckland would eventually become the stage for her very successful business career.

My husband and I first met Wendy in the early 1980s when she was a sales representative for NZ Optical in Auckland, calling on pharmacies with a stylish range of eyeware. But, after seven years, it was time for her to think about the next step – “What am I good at?” “What do I enjoy?” Well, first and foremost, Wendy loves to cook and to nourish those around her.

It did not take long to find the long-term answer – at the Three Lamps end of Ponsonby Road stood a tiny gift shop, stuffed full of things which no-one seemed to want to buy. After

all, do you need a stuffed parrot or a mug with your initials on? But the site was a good one and the decision was made to purchase the half-shop! And so, Milly’s Kitchen Shop was

born.

According to Wendy, being a “woman in business” in 1983 was not easy. To finance her venture, she had to “walk over broken glass” to the banks. She had a vision but no import

licence – but thanks to the support and belief of just one local importer, she was soon up and running. The main ingredient to her success was providing extra special customer service – if there was not a loose-bottomed tart tin anywhere to be found in Auckland, Wendy would source it from overseas. Husband Jon travelled overseas a lot for his business, so he always had a shopping list and extra baggage allowance to bring home Wendy’s special ‘orders’.

“What are those things?” asked the customs officer – “Why, they’re dariole moulds”, said Jon

– “my wife loves to cook!”

Milly’s soon outgrew the tiny premises and was able to move into a much larger space just a few doors along the road – and soon the contact list of suppliers of specialty kitchen and cooking items grew. No longer was a special import licence needed, so Wendy was able to import items from across the world herself.

Intrigued and inspired by the catalogues produced by American kitchen and cookshops, especially Sur le Table in Seattle and Williams Sonoma, Wendy and Jon thought it was time

they produced a catalogue of their own. No-one had done this in New Zealand before, so how would it go? It was a huge family undertaking; their son produced the colour

photography and suppliers’ advertising provided funding. Finally, in 1997, the first catalogue rolled off the press and was put out as an insert to Cuisine magazine.

Then, as Wendy and Jon sat down to celebrate the launch of their catalogue with fish and chips and champagne – and not knowing whether their venture would sink or swim – down the fax line came their first order. Booker Prize winning author, the late Keri Hulme, had ordered a special kitchen step ladder and a small copper fry pan!!

Business snowballed and flourished, but after 30 years of hard work and long days it came time to put the lid on the saucepan and call ‘time’ on this very successful enterprise.

What next for this couple?

Staying in Auckland was not an option – so many other beautiful spots throughout the country were visited and analysed. And finally, in 2012, Wendy and Jon “came home” to

Central Otago. It was a quick decision and a good decision to buy the property in Clyde – in fact, they were on their way to Cromwell to visit relatives when they made the short detour.

With his artistic ability, Jon sketched their vision for a new house and Wendy considered the result to be “perfect”.

What does Wendy love about Central? The peace and contentment – her “soul is in the hills” and she feels as if she has been here forever – and the friendliness of locals. She and Jon take pride in showing their many visitors around the region – over Blacks Hill and through the Ida Valley to her ancestral home; or to St Bathans, Roxburgh, Hawea, Wanaka or

Arrowtown.

That clue mentioned earlier – well, Wendy’s kitchen is, not surprisingly, the focal point of their house. Her home cooking is the “stuff of legends” and the kitchen her very happy place.

How could it not be, with fantastic views over the Clutha River to the hills beyond?

For several years, Wendy has been the facilitator of a local Dinner Group, which meets monthly to enjoy good food and fellowship together. For me, as a newcomer to the

Alexandra/Clyde area, this group has been a wonderful way to network with other business women and to forge new friendships.