Business North Harbour members gathered at Toasted Coffee Roasters in Rosedale for another successful Networking & Nibbles, with around 50 local business professionals coming together to connect, collaborate and discover one of the North Shore’s newest hospitality venues.
Guests were welcomed into Toasted’s beautifully refurbished space, designed not only as a café but also as a versatile venue for meetings, events and functions. The modern fit-out, delicious food, drinks and warm atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of networking.
General Manager and Director of Toasted, Scott, welcomed attendees and shared the Toasted story with his wife, Deborah. Founded by two former corporate professionals, Toasted has been roasting specialty coffee since 2017, supplying cafés and restaurants throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Alongside the roasting operation, the business also runs a tea trading company sourcing premium teas from Sri Lanka.
Scott spoke about the opportunity to expand into North Harbour after the Rosedale site became available last year. Building on the success of Toasted’s established Wairau Valley café, the team transformed the new premises into a welcoming hospitality space where the community can enjoy outstanding coffee while creating a hub for local events and business gatherings.
A strong theme throughout Scott’s presentation was supporting the local community. Toasted proudly remains an independently owned North Shore coffee company in an industry increasingly dominated by overseas ownership. The business employs 24 local staff and actively partners with local schools and hospitality programmes, offering students valuable work experience and introducing young people to hospitality as a rewarding career pathway.
Following Scott’s presentation, Kevin O Leary introduced the one-minute quick-fire speaker session, with three members randomly selected to introduce themselves and share a little about their business. The first speaker was Vandana Patel from Harvey Furnishings, followed by Jurgen Stringer from RIVAL Wealth, and finally Chris Waters of Watershed Brand Lab.
As conversations continued throughout the evening, the true value of the Networking & Nibbles series was evident. Dani Mao, AIC Employability Manager, summed it up perfectly, noting that meeting regularly is “less networking and more catching up – it’s camaraderie and a great support.” Her words captured the spirit of the event, where genuine relationships and a strong sense of community continue to grow with every gathering.
A sincere thank you to Scott and Deborah and the entire Toasted team for their warm hospitality and for sharing their business journey. Events like Networking & Nibbles continue to highlight the value of connecting local businesses, supporting independent enterprises and strengthening the vibrant North Harbour business community.
