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• Published date: 15 July 2021
• Publication title: Central Otago News

CAPTIONS

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Chocolicious ... business is sweet for Bridget Wright (right) of Yeet Cafe at Naseby. Her sister Fiona has been helping since she opened two weeks ago in the premises of the former cafe.

PHOTO: MARY-JO TOHILL

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Strong ecological principals ... Bridget Wright of Yeet Cafe, which recently opened in Naseby.

PHOTO: MARY-JO TOHILL

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Winter warmers any season... Royal Hotel Naseby publicans Jan Rutherford and Adrian Hood.

PHOTO: MARY-JO TOHILL

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The Royal Hotel Naseby.

PHOTO: MARY-JO TOHILL

MARY-JO TOHILL

maryjo.tohill@thenews.co.nz

It took a pandemic for Bridget Wright to realise that food really is her passion.

‘‘I’m from a foodie family. We’re always eating one meal and talking about the next.’’

And it has taken her from the corporate world to the country, Naseby in fact, where she has just opened her own eatery, Yeet Cafe.

Her first business venture is based in the same building as the former Black Forest Cafe on Derwent St.

The 40-year-old has spent her career in the food and beverage industry at home and abroad. In fact she was heading overseas just before lockdown in March.

‘‘I was going to go to Scotland and look up the family history. I’d already given up my job, my house. Then lockdown happened.’’

Her father was living in St Bathans, and had a cottage he used for Airbnb that she could stay in.

Those weeks in Level 3 and 4 proved to be a revelation.

‘‘I reassessed my life and I realised I did not want another corporate job.‘‘

She had worked for a wine company in both New Zealand and London and an organic food outfit in North Auckland. St Bathans was about as far removed from both as she could imagine.

Born and raised south of Kaikoura on a farm, she had only been to Central for short visits, but soon fell in love with the region.

She even got a dog, a wee schnauzer, Arco.

While she was figuring how to get on a new path, she worked at the Vulcan Hotel, which also renewed her love of hospitality.

With a long-held dream of doing a food truck or similarin the back of her mind, quite randomly, she saw a building up for lease and a business for sale in Naseby.

‘‘It was, ’should I, should I not’, and I’m so glad I did.

‘‘I turned 40 in February, and you look back over your life, and I felt if I don’t do something then, when?

‘‘I’m really glad I did and I’m proud of myself for that.’’

Miss Wright is living in Naseby.

‘‘I’ve alway dreamed of walking to work. And now I am - it’s three...