elizabeth hodge

Based in Pukekohe, of iwi Te Arawa, Tainui and Tuwharetoa, Elizabeth was born in Hamilton but spent most of her childhood growing up in Pukekohe.  With fond memories of many happy years spent in the kitchen with her Mum, an amazing baker and cook, Elizabeth was inspired to study as a chef and start a career in hospitality.

Loving working as a chef, Elizabeth dreamed of starting her own mobile business combining both her passion for food and her Māori heritage, which led to the creation of The Roll Up Caterer, creating kumara inspired products. In Māori culture, kumara has a unique significance and is known as a humble vegetable providing many health and nutritional benefits. Elizabeth showcases this wonderful vegetable in many ways on her menu, from sweet to savoury items, always keeping kumara at the heart of her products.

She joined the Kitchen Project to help her turn her passion into a functional business. “A big highlight for me was The Roll Up Caterer officially being registered and graded,” says Elizabeth. “I've learnt so much already being a part of the Project and it’s been great to have access to an industrial kitchen as part of it.  The opportunity to be surrounded with likeminded people and other food entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as access to support to get me to where I want to be, has been a blessing.”

Elizabeth’s goal is to have her own café or retail location selling her creations and would love to have some of her products stocked in supermarkets or other retail stores. Currently Elizabeth is selling her kumara inspired sweet and savoury bagels and donuts filled with different fillings at markets and festivals. Follow The Roll Up Caterer on both Facebook and Instagram to see where Elizabeth will be next.