Starting The Big Foody wasn’t part of some grand five-year plan. It wasn’t born from a business degree, a glossy proposal, or even a clear sense of where I was heading. It began with a love for food, a curiosity for stories, and a belief—perhaps a slightly wild one—that food could connect people in the most powerful ways. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would change my life.
From the UK to Aotearoa
When I first moved from the UK to New Zealand, I was struck by the abundance. Not just the landscapes, but the produce, the hospitality, and the genuine pride people took in growing, making, and serving food. I found myself wandering through farmers’ markets, chatting with cheesemakers, tasting olive oils, and meeting winemakers who poured their passion into every bottle. I was hungry for more—not just to taste, but to understand.
It didn’t take long for friends to start joking that I should be charging for my impromptu “food tours.” I was already dragging visitors to hidden eateries, telling stories about local producers, and insisting they try this or that. Eventually, I listened. In 2009, I officially launched The Big Foody Food Tours with a simple mission: show people the New Zealand I had fallen in love with—one bite at a time.
Building Something From Scratch
The early days were equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I had no guidebook. No investors. No idea how to build a tour business. But I had enthusiasm, endless curiosity, and an incredible community of local producers who welcomed the idea wholeheartedly.
It was just me in the beginning. I’d pick guests up in my car, drive them around Auckland, and introduce them to the people and flavours that I loved. There were days when only one person would book. I’d still go, still give it my all—because I believed in the experience.
Over time, the word spread. Guests told their friends, reviews trickled in, and The Big Foody began to grow organically. From Auckland, we expanded to Wellington, Dunedin, and Christchurch. Today, we work across the country, delivering food and wine experiences for everyone from solo travellers to cruise ship guests and corporate groups.
The People Who Changed Me
The greatest gift this journey has given me is the people. I’ve shared meals with thousands of guests from all corners of the globe. I’ve listened to stories of families, careers, dreams, and challenges—all over cups of coffee, platters of cheese, and glasses of wine.
Some guests have become lifelong friends. Some producers have become chosen family. And my team—those amazing guides who bring their regions to life—have filled my life with joy, support, and humour.
I’ve laughed until I’ve cried, cried from pride, and felt more gratitude than I could ever put into words. The Big Foody brought me connection on a scale I never imagined. It gave me a sense of purpose and belonging that rooted me to New Zealand in a way nothing else ever could.
The Lessons in Every Bite
Running a food tour company is far from glamorous. Behind the beautifully plated dishes and flowing wine, there’s a lot of early mornings, late nights, car maintenance, logistics, and spreadsheets. But every challenge has taught me something.
I’ve learned how to listen—not just to what guests say, but to what they feel. I’ve learned how to represent my community with integrity. I’ve learned how to build a business that reflects values, not just revenue.
Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust myself. Starting The Big Foody required me to back my own ideas, step into leadership, and stay flexible in the face of change. I’ve made mistakes—plenty. But each one pushed me forward.
A Life Reimagined
What started as a way to share my love for food became a life’s work. It expanded into new ventures—like Vineyard Cottages, where we now host guests among the vines in rural Auckland, and Appetite for New Zealand, our new multi-day tour company showcasing regional food journeys around the country.
The Big Foody taught me that work doesn’t have to feel like work. That you can build a life around joy, flavour, storytelling, and people—and still make a living. It redefined what success means for me. It’s not just about numbers or scale—it’s about impact, memory-making, and meaning.
I still feel a little thrill every time a guest takes a bite of something they’ve never tried and lights up. That moment—that connection—is everything.
Looking Ahead
We’ve come a long way, but I still see The Big Foody as evolving. There are so many more stories to tell, more people to meet, more flavours to discover. Food, after all, is never static. It’s alive, and so is this journey.
If you’re reading this as someone starting your own path, unsure where it might lead—let me tell you this: the best things come when you follow the threads of what lights you up. When you chase meaning over money, connection over perfection. That’s what starting The Big Foody taught me.
And it changed everything.
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