Our Story
Hi there! I'm Sam, Founder and Director of Country Co. I am the head chef, baker, marketer, social media manager, event director, email coordinator, menu creator, dishwasher and everything in between. Country Co. is primarily run by myself, but could not be possible without the army of support surrounding me that becomes WE.
At Country Co., we are passionate about bringing people together over really good food. To share warmth, cosiness, laughter and connection. Memories and the sense of nostalgia around food like so many, stem back from my childhood. Visitng grandparents for pikelets on a Sunday morning, sharing fresh brownie for dessert. Some of the best times shared have been in the company of great food.
After finishing school, I studied in AgriCommerce and pursued the original dream of working throughout the Agricultural Industry, quickly moving throughout the corporate world under some of the most renowned companies in New Zealand. My partner Justin and I have lived on dairy farms throughout the Waikato through this time to our current property in Karapiro as sharemilkers currently. While working in the Agricultural Industry, my passions for home cooking and baking quickly exceeded keeping this as a hobby.
In 2020 I began my Instagram page @countrco.nz to use as a place to share my creations, knowing some day I would use this as the foundations to set up something of a business with - wherever that would go. During this time, I also began Country Co.'s oven glove range which has since grown to have New Zealand's largest range of oven gloves available.
In early 2023 I left my full time career to pursue Country Co. full time and grow the love of food into something special. We had a very great friend work with us to build the commercial kitchen which stands as Country Co.'s HQ today. Our 6mx2.4m trailer provides an exceptional workspace where we prepare all orders for catering and the boutique bakery. The trailer sits permanently on our dairy farm, overlooking the serenity of the beautiful land as far as the eye can see.
As we move forward, we continue to find ways to grow and scale Country Co. as a small, successful business. We value the many relationships we build with our customers and just love hearing how our food can create, or regenerate memories and the sense of nostalgia. Thank you for showing interest in learning about us, our story and supporting Country Co. We see each and every one of you, and we thank you greatly.
