Ranfurly’s Floral & Feast Kitchen (F&F) has won two ‘Love Your Local’ hospitality awards, which acknowledge the hard work of the cousins behind the cafe after only a year and a half in business.

F&F won the most loved barista category and most loved takeaway or food truck for the Queenstown and Central regions, and will now be up for the national prizes to be decided by judges, including chef Peter Gordon.

The business was launched by cousins Raelene (Rae) Huddleston and Joanna (Jo) Steele in November 2021 and they say their close relationship has been the foundation for their success.

Rae said they were really surprised to get the email about their win.

“Friends sent [the awards] to us, suggesting us… and everyone got on board.

“The whole community is so supportive of us.”

Rae said sharing the workload between two and “having someone to rely on” was crucial to their business.

“If I was by myself it would be so hard…having a close family member [with you] and hashing it out if you need to... speaking your mind [works].”

Word is getting around and their reputation is growing, especially as F & F does not have outdoor signage yet and is a bit hidden away. 

“People on the rail trail found us… it’s going from there.”

Rae (28) said business ownership for her and Jo (29) had been non-stop. She’s also a mum to a one-year-old and Jo is about to become a mum at the end of the year.

“We seem to balance it pretty well.”

They employ two others and play to their strengths, Jo doing savoury items and Rae doing ‘make to order’ cakes and other sweets.

The coffee making category they took out celebrates “baristas who remember your name, what day you have that big meeting and always have a smile - plus they make great coffee.”

Their second award, for most loved food truck or takeaway was described as “[it] might be fixed or move around but there aren’t many seats, the tasty food at this awesome joint is designed to move.”

The inaugural awards, made up of five categories, are a people’s choice model, where people nominate their favourites and then vote in their region.  

The other three categories were most loved new business, most loved front of house/service person or team and most loved bartender or publican. 

Floral and Feast Kitchen is located at 3 John St in Ranfurly. Along with coffee and cabinet food, flowers and a range of gifts, they also do catering and cakes to order.