A popular Rotorua eatery is spreading its wings to Rotorua Airport – with Terrace Kitchen’s new offshoot Terrace Airside to open as part of the terminal redevelopment early next year.
The new restaurant will cater for passengers travelling through the airport, but is also expected to provide another café option for residents and workers on the eastern side of the city.
Travellers and visitors to the airport will get a taste of what’s to come from tomorrow with Terrace Kitchen operating a pop-up café on site until work on the redevelopment is complete.
Rotorua Airport chief executive Mark Gibb says Terrace Airside is an exciting part of the terminal redevelopment and fits well with the overarching vision for the new terminal which aims to create a gateway that better reflects Rotorua.
“While the redevelopment has been driven by the need to future-proof the airport and ensure it meets security and building requirements, as well as catering for a growing number of passengers, this is also a valuable opportunity to create a facility that Rotorua can be proud of.”
Mr Gibb says Terrace Kitchen is an iconic Rotorua brand and its airport offshoot will continue to focus on providing the best in local produce with service reflecting the manaakitanga Rotorua was built on.
He says the new Terrace Airside will have the ability to provide other catering onsite including helping to service domestic and international charter flights when required.
“It will also provide another option for people on the eastern side of town as a place to get coffee or something to eat.”
Terrace Kitchen owner Jo Romanes says they’re delighted to be part of the new journey of the airport.
She says the initial pop-up café will have a good selection of fresh, attractive food with a focus on local produce – and will give people a taste of what’s to come when Terrace Airside opens.
“We’ve had a lot of fun coming up with the pop-up café concept and we’ve been able to put our design stamp on it. It gives us the opportunity to test the market and get to know regular airport users – and what they like – ahead of the opening of the full version.”
The pop-up café fills the gap left by the closure of Robert Harris following the retirement of operator Barbara Holmes earlier this week.
The full Terrace Airside will open as part of the second stage of the Rotorua Airport redevelopment in February and, like Terrace Kitchen, will include a contemporary fit-out inspired by the unique landscape of Rotorua and its surrounds.
The second stage of the airport also includes screening facilities, a separate new departures lounge and outdoor landscaped plaza and seating area as well as a business hub.
