Hey There!
We're Rata and Thomas, and our journey began when we met in New Zealand.
Rata, a chef from Thailand, had been living in the stunning town of Queenstown for 12 years. Meanwhile, Thomas, a sommelier from France, had been exploring the Kiwi shores for nearly five years.
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In April 2022, we took a leap of faith and left Queenstown for the charming coastal town of Russell. There, we started Rata's Kitchen with a humble food truck. To our surprise, our flavors quickly captivated both locals and visitors, and the support we received from the wonderful people of Russell was heartwarming.
Our culinary venture caught the attention of Dish magazine, who featured us in an article and brought us even more exposure. It was an exciting moment to see our dream gaining momentum.
After six successful months in the food truck, we were given an incredible opportunity. We moved to a commercial kitchen at the Russell Boating Club, where we continued to delight taste buds for another five months. During this time, we even won the prestigious "Outstanding Street Food/Takeout of The Year" award.
With newfound recognition and a burning desire to explore new horizons, we set our sights on Wellington. In the vibrant community of Petone, we stumbled upon a historic building that stole our hearts. We knew it was meant to be the home of our next culinary adventure.
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Our menu has evolved since our days in Russell, now showcasing a captivating blend of European and Asian cuisines, infused with French and Thai flavours. It's a delicious marriage of culinary traditions that we hold dear.
We can't wait to welcome you to Rata's Kitchen in Petone, where you'll experience the harmonious fusion of tastes and our genuine passion for food. Join us on this remarkable journey as we continue to create culinary magic in our cozy little restaurant.
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