Cuisine Magazine advisory group members say Pembroke Pâtisserie co-owner Kirsty Schmutsch has had a “remarkable influence on the Wānaka food scene”.

This week Kirsty was announced as one of New Zealand’s Top 50 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in Food and Drink for 2024 by the prestigious publication.

Kirsty told the Wānaka App it meant a lot to be selected.

She and her husband Matt started Pembroke Pâtisserie ten years ago, running a market stall for five years before opening their own brick-and-mortar store in Albert Town. 

The pâtisserie is now credited as an “iconic food destination” by advisory groups members Lauraine Jacobs and Sarah Meikle, but Kirsty said when she and Matt first decided to set up shop, “people couldn’t believe we were opening in Albert Town”.

They thought it was too far away from the CBD and other eateries, but “we could see the vision and the potential,” she told the Wānaka App.

Now the pâtisserie draws huge numbers of people to Albert Town with the line often extending outside onto the pavement as customers wait for their French food fix. 

Judges said Kirsty, who has had a 25-year career in the hospitality industry, “tirelessly promotes Central Otago as a food tourism destination”.

Pembroke Pâtisserie uses local produce wherever possible, like eggs from Royalburn Station, jams from Pirate Pickles and apricots from Augustines of Central, and Kirsty said she is a “big champion and supporter of other local businesses”.

For Kirsty, being named in the Top 50 is another opportunity to “shout out” Central Otago.

“It’s an amazing area and food tourism destination,” Kirsty said. “The quality is there.”

Kirsty said she is looking forward to travelling to Auckland in March for the gala lunch taking place to celebrate all the Top 50 recipients.

PHOTO: Supplied