Originally from Europe, Stephanie moved to New Zealand in 2012 and completed a degree in Food Science. Growing up in a family passionate about food science sparked her love of product innovation from an early age. Today, she works in quality and food safety for a leading global nutrition and dairy company while building Berry Me alongside her partner, Jack.

Berry Me was born from a desire to create a better frozen treat for people who want to enjoy something indulgent without compromise. Noticing a gap in the frozen dessert aisle, Stephanie and Jack spent months developing and refining their product before launching their first offering, Dark Chocolate Covered Raspberries, made with premium New Zealand-grown fruit and high-quality ingredients.

The Kitchen Project provided the support, knowledge, and industry connections needed to help turn their vision into reality. As newcomers to Auckland’s food and business community, Stephanie and Jack found immense value in connecting with fellow entrepreneurs who were navigating similar challenges. One of the biggest highlights was progressing through the programme alongside other food businesses, celebrating milestones together and learning from each other’s experiences. They also gained invaluable insights from the programme’s guest speakers, whose generosity, expertise, and real-world advice continue to influence the way they approach and grow their business.

Looking ahead, Stephanie sees Berry Me becoming a recognised New Zealand brand in the frozen treat category, stocked in major retailers nationwide and firmly established in homes across the country. With plans to expand into new flavours and fruit varieties, the business will remain committed to showcasing quality local produce while creating exciting, better-for-you treats. Longer term, Stephanie hopes to introduce New Zealand-made Berry Me products to international markets, sharing the best of local ingredients with customers beyond New Zealand’s shores.