Fat Kitty Cafe is located in Auckland, where chef Jarrad Amanono teamed up with owner Amelia Leath to make the hit cafe what it is today.
Before Fat Kitty Cafe, Amanono spent his earlier years in Whangarei, where his love for food blossomed as his family watched cooking shows together.
Although Amanono decided to move to Dunedin to study, he quickly found it was not the right path for him and recognised that cooking was the career to pursue.
Moving up to Auckland, he began training and joined a catering company where he worked under chef Philip Reynolds.
At this point, Amanono began to understand the intricacies of being a chef and met Leath, the driving force behind the success of Fat Kitty Cafe.
What sets Fat Kitty Cafe apart is its notion of inclusivity, where they have created a safe space for LBGTQ+ and neurodiverse communities by being open while simultaneously challenging people’s expectations of what to find on the menu.
“We do a lot of vegan food but are not exclusively vegan, you’ll find around two-thirds of our menu is. Being a big community space, it is full of regulars who feel right at home and influence what happens here,” said Amanono.
The food has a heavy Asian influence while maintaining Western characteristics creating a pan-Asian fusion venue.
With an ever-changing menu, the purpose is to surprise and excite its patrons.
The inspiration for the food comes from a creative process between Amanono and Leath, where their shared passion for food and unique experiences provides them with eccentric offerings.
One of their most successful creations is the Dumpling Sandwich, comprising mayonnaise, pan-fried dumplings, pickled ginger, coriander and soy sauce between buttered bread.
Beginning as a joke, the product hit the market and became so popular that it was on Auckland’s Iconic Eats for 2022.
The duo are planning a big pivot to the Fat Kitty brand to ensure security and sustainability for the team and the business, provided the market conditions fluctuate.
Moving away from the cafe space is definitely on the list for both Amanono and Leath.
Amanono stated that he opened a business, and not being shut down was a huge personal achievement for him, on top of the recognition he is beginning to receive.
“I also just like to thank my parents for everything they have done for us. We wouldn’t be doing what we are without them,” said Amanono.
