MEET YOUR {OUTSTANDING} MAKER – PEPLER’S
A Waikato brand with almost 40 years of history has a new look and fresh energy thanks to the enthusiasm of new owners and the boost of winning three medals in the 2023 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.
“To win four awards is amazing, I remember the day it was announced and there was joy and hugs when the news came in, it was so rewarding for us.”
A passion for food and a desire for change led Paul and Jane Menneer to dive headfirst into the food industry when the opportunity to purchase Pepler’s arose in late 2021.
Founded in the mid-80s, Pepler’s began producing handmade jams after the grape industry in Te Kauwhata was decimated following a trade deal with Australia allowing the importation of cheaper grapes. Since then, Pepler’s has been producing a range of delicious condiments from zingy vinaigrettes through to fruit pastes and rich chutneys. Wherever possible, Pepler’s products start with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in support of the local growers.
“Pepler’s was a family-owned and operated business, and we wanted to carry on that family name and legacy,” Paul explains. The original owner still lives in Te Kauwhata and their kids still come into the shop to see what’s going on, so there is a real connection between us and the founders, he says.
Paul & Jane took over the reins as Waikato went into another COVID-19 lockdown in the latter half of 2021. Lockdown brought with it a few issues for us - we had supply chain issues, rising costs and a border closure which made deliveries difficult,” they explain. This was closely followed by a weather-impacted raspberry harvest meaning a drastically reduced supply of Pepler’s iconic and popular Black Raspberry Vinaigrette. This lack of product led to the development of one of Pepler’s medal winners, Orange and Date Vinaigrette.
But not only has local weather been an issue, weather patterns around the world have also had an effect with shortages of mustard seeds and olive oils also creating problems with supply and price.
“Over the past couple of summers, we’ve struggled with the weather, we’ve had lots of rain.” Paul explains that as most produce is locally sourced, a bad spell of weather can impact business operations.
While there may have been a few speed bumps, Paul and Jane are adamant that winning a gold and 3 silver medals for 4 products entered at this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards is a great boost for the Pepler’s team. Jane says “to win four awards is amazing, I remember the day it was announced and there was joy and hugs when the news came in, it was so rewarding for us. For the kitchen team, trials are fiddly and time-consuming, so the awards have shown the team the value of our development as 3 of the winning products are new this year.”
Paul & Jane have recently completed a rebrand and they’re excited to be able to include the awards on the new labels reflecting Pepler’s success.
With the new look on the shelves, Jane says the team is focused on introducing the world of chutneys and vinaigrettes to new demographics while maintaining Pepler’s sense of community and authenticity. “Our goal is to ensure we cater to our existing customers and also appeal to wider groups,” she explains. “We are looking for people who are adventurous eaters or people who have travelled overseas and are looking for those food memories.”
Paul adds that while the products are made in Waikato, they embody a range of flavours from different cuisines. For example, Pepler’s Japanese Chilli Oil which delivers umami flavour in Asian dishes, Portuguese Peri Peri Sauce for a spicy chicken twist, Tomato Kasundi with Indian spices or Pear and Mustard Fruit Paste based on an Italian condiment.
“We love the expressions on people’s faces and feedback when they taste something that surpasses their expectations,” says Paul. “It’s about communal sharing of food and the creation of memories and friendships.”
Visit Pepler’s store at 5 Main Road, Te Kauwhata or purchase through the website.