Kikau Hut Restaurant in Arorangi is owned by husband/wife Gordon Brown and Rebecca Churchill, and operated by their local staff.
Both are now somewhat fly in, fly out from NZ particularly since the pandemic. Rebecca is an accountant, with a consultancy and marketing company, Gordon is a civil engineer.
Born in England and brought up there and in South Africa, Gordon eventually settled in New Zealand where he has worked in building construction and roads. Before settling in NZ Gordon had a stint in the US working in soccer coaching; he had been a semi-professional in the UK.
Today he works in business development in the civil engineering field: “I do it all over the world, including Australia and New Zealand,” said Gordon.
But his dream was always to own a restaurant in the Cook Islands.
“We didn't come here just own a restaurant. We wanted to develop our restaurant people as well,” said Gordon.
“There are times when we leave them for long periods, and they run the business. As I say to them, this restaurant isn't about me and Rebecca, it is about you. What the people see is you!”.
We asked Gordon what he enjoys most outside the civil engineering/development business and Kikau Restaurant.
“I love all sport! In particular I love football, horse racing and tennis - playing not watching.” said Gordon.
“And I love the theatre and cinema.”
Gordon said he also loved Kikau Hut Restaurant and it's staff.
“Our menu reflects the expected Pacific rim infusion, but we also recognise that visitors also have an expectation of what they might eat back home.”
A Trip Advisor reviewer in July wrote:
We just had a lovely family meal at the Kikau Hut. This place is a firm favourite every time we visit the island. Amazing fresh tuna sashimi and their signature Ika Mata to start, followed by superb mains for all of us. The service is always perfect and the dessert tasting platter is not to be missed.
There is nothing left for Gordon to say!
