FRIENDS AND STOCKISTS
If you’re after a great crusty foundation for your poached eggs, a delish dough to dip into your soup or a soft brioche burger bun to sink your chomps into, let us introduce you to some Christchurch locals using freshly baked goods from our home…
Majestic at Mayfair
Majestic at Mayfair is an atypical hotel restaurant, and that’s not just because less than a quarter of its guests are staying at the Mayfair, it’s also because the culinary direction of the restaurant is shaped largely by the experience and passion of Executive Chef Nick Tatom. Cooking professionally for 16 years, he names the importance of ensuring the entire menu reflects an elevated quality while modernising the brunch classics expected at a cafe (like za’atar cream cheese on the avo toast or 12-hour braised beef cheek with chilli crisp hollandaise in the breakfast hash). From the beautifully constructed pastries to innovative cocktails, the offerings at Majestic are in a league of their own, so whether you’re looking for brunch, a beautiful dinner, high tea on the weekend, or an excellent drink to start your evening, stop by Majestic at Mayfair.
Brigittes
After 50 years as a Merivale institution, the recent resurgence of Brigittes can be credited to the revamp by chef Michael Rowland-Jones. After acquiring the space in August 2022, the new owners designed a fashionably clean and classic aesthetic one might expect from a bustling cafe-restaurant in Milan, Paris or New York. The original wood panelling and floors were intentionally preserved to commemorate the building’s history, something important to Michael who remembers grabbing BLT triangles from Brigittes as a kid. Despite a handful of years at Michelin star restaurants abroad, the new life he’s brought to Brigittes is some of his greatest work yet because, as he puts it: “My best cooking is for the people I know, and I know the people who come through these doors.” Similar values of excellence and quality led Michael to choose Grizzly as a supplier, and we’re proud that the beautiful menu at Brigittes uses Grizzly products.
General Post
Prior to lockdown, Larissa and Hayden Milne were living in the Gold Coast and developed a love for the small curated general stores scattered down the coastline. In late 2021, after they’d returned to New Zealand, they decided to open their own general store in Larissa’s hometown of Tai Tapu, sourcing local goods as well as excellent coffee for their grocer-cafe hybrid. Since they value having relationships with their suppliers, most of the stock at General Post is hyper local with a focus on niche and beautiful products that can’t be found at your local supermarket. Grizzly has proudly supplied General Post from its start, so whether it’s eating a delicious sandwich made on our bread, filling a basket with local produce, or enjoying a coffee while you peruse, we promise you’ll enjoy a visit to General Post.
Westend Stories
When Julie and David decided to open a new cafe in the Westend block of Christchurch after the quakes, they set out to make a space that would prioritise a sense of community. This permeates all aspects of the business, from the open layout of the space to the personal customer care and the general hum of interactions between the regulars. While you might assume that people are in a rush in this corporate corner of the city, Westend Stories Manager Bonnie says that it’s because of the location that people actually want to take the time to chat. With a thoughtful menu constantly evolving with the seasons and an unmistakable atmosphere of hospitality, Westend Stories is a warm oasis in the centre of the city. Stop by for an excellent coffee service and a delicious meal or snack.
Black Burger
With Covid lockdown, the Pretty Good Group’s businesses (including Hide Club, Pretty Good Pizza, Cream Events, Seek Club, and Black Burger) had to dramatically adjust their standard operations. But with the increased need for home delivery meals, the LA-style smash burgers from the Black Burger ghost kitchen became a favourite among the community. As things began opening again to the public, Black Burger acquired a spot at Riverside Market where their limited menu of grain-fed Japanese black Wagyu-beef smash burgers allows them to make the most from the best New Zealand ingredients they source. From the beginning, Black Burger has used Grizzly buns for their burgers, but if you ask the manager, she’ll let you know her favourite Grizzly treats are the donuts in our shops. Stop by Riverside Market for an undeniably delicious burger!
Lux Espresso
When Sung and Jenny bought the space that is now home to Lux Espresso four years ago, they couldn’t have known how their influence would expand into two (and soon to be three) cafes in Christchurch. Originally owned by Allpress Espresso, the design of the space is decked out with incredible detailing including some imported Japanese tile forming the base of the espresso bar with the glossy earthtones catching the light flooding in from the windows. When asked about the success of his cafe and the positive environment it fosters, Sung defers by saying that they’re “just lucky to have good people.” Grizzly has been a supplier to Lux from its inception, and Sung will be quick to tell you that the Bear Claw is his favourite Grizzly item. Pop into Lux for a coffee and a bite!
Little Poms
After 13 years, family-run Pomeroy’s Pub acquired the next door space to make a full table-service brunch/lunch restaurant that has become synonymous with the best of the Christchurch food scene. Hiring accomplished chefs and keeping the ingredients as local as possible, the food at Little Poms is a step above what you’d expect from a cafe. And in keeping with the values that made the pub such a community success, management at Little Poms is quick to divert the conversation about their longevity to the care they take in making a sustainable and healthy work environment for their staff. From the delicious food and coffee to the maximalist decor, stop by for an all-around excellent experience. Grizzly has proudly supplied the bread at Little Poms since it opened its doors in 2014.
Ilex Café
Tucked within the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Ilex Café boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, a glass wall shared with a nursery, and geometric interior paneling done in white. The dining space is flooded with natural light that creates an unmistakable atmosphere of calm. The culinary team takes care in putting together each dish, making excellent plates from locally sourced ingredients while not trying to be anything other than what they are. Whether it’s smoked mushrooms, a poached egg, and creme fraiche on a slice of Grizzly Midnight Rye or a mountain of sandwiches made to cater events like Electric Avenue in the park, you can count on Ilex Café to make the most of the beautiful ingredients they source.
5th Street
After opening in 2018, 5th Street maintains a commitment to innovation in the elevated New Zealand dishes on its menu. For Co-Head Chef Max, in comparing a meal at 5th Street to a typical New Zealand dinner of roast and veg, the ever-evolving courses at 5th Street reflect a “crescendo that feels familiar to Kiwis” while culinary influences from around the world accentuate the novelty of what their chefs bring to New Zealand cuisine. Grizzly has proudly supplied bread to the restaurant from its inception, and we’re happy to be a part of the New Zealand food story 5th Street continues to tell.
Oddfellows Café
When Hummingbird Coffee Roasters migrated to Addington from Victoria Street, they acquired the Oddfellows Hall that the company would transform into Oddfellows Café. In the 16 years of its operation, Oddfellows Café stands out in an industry known for turnover with a chef of 10 years and a barista of 8 years. The manager of Oddfellows, Joel Hanssen, has himself been with Hummingbird and Oddfellows in various roles for 11 years, and he says that the longevity of the staff not only speaks to the quality of the workplace but also to the consistency of what the cafe offers. With a loyal base of community regulars and high-quality fresh food made daily, stop by Oddfellows Café for a friendly atmosphere with excellent offerings.
Doubles Cafe
Doubles Cafe is unmistakable for its minimalist design, clean lines, and floor to ceiling windows filling the space with natural light. The owners of Lux Espresso, Sung and Jenny, decided to acquire the space two years ago and open a cafe with a more substantial kitchen than their espresso bar just a few blocks away. Zoe, the manager of Doubles, describes Sung’s passion for fried chicken as the initial kickstarter for developing their menu, emphasizing both the two day marinade and the secret “chicken flour” recipe they use in the process. In fact, aside from the items Grizzly supplies, most of the Doubles menu and cabinet is gluten free. As for the culture of the work environment, Zoe makes it a point to say that they welcome mistakes, an ethic she insists is necessary for a well-functioning and ever-developing staff.
Embassy Coffee
We maintain a unique relationship with Embassy Coffee, happily getting our coffee from them while also supplying breads and pastries to their espresso bar. Sourcing most of their coffee from South America, the team at Embassy goes to great lengths to roast their coffees and create blends that highlight the extraordinary potential of each coffee they bring in. In addition to producing some of the best coffee in Christchurch, their sit down space offers views of their roastery, tasty bites, and the occasional leg brush from one of the owner’s cats, Bruce or Bacon. In addition to the standard espresso-based coffee menu, the cafe also has filter coffee on tap, making an extended visit all too easy.
Smokey T’s
The award-winning barbecue at Smoky T’s has humble beginnings. Staying up all-night to smoke the meat freshly delivered from hunting trips, owner Tristin Anderson learned the inner workings of quality barbecue on a small smoker in his backyard. The queues at his caravan from 2016-2018 convinced him it was time to expand into a full fledged sit-down joint. From the start he relied on Grizzly’s bread buns because he’d found Grizzly to be his favorite and most reliable bread bakery in Christchurch during his tenure as Executive Chef at The Dux Group. You’ll find Grizzly bread alongside his Texas-style brisket or his sweet and sauced Kansas style ribs, and at home, you’ll find Tristin enjoying some Grizzly sourdough with cultured butter.
Addington Coffee Co-op
After nearly 15 years of operating, Addington Coffee Co-op has become an iconic Christchurch cafe. The business began with a vision for connecting consumers with the producers and communities creating the products sold in the store. From coffee to t-shirts to select ethically-sourced goods, Addington Coffee Co-op has grown while keeping its values of supporting a healthy and stable consumer ecosystem for everyone involved in the business, both customers and providers. To pick up a coffee, a book, some pantry staples, or a Grizzly pastry or donut, pop by their location any day of the week.
