the not serious Katie Woodhead

When I first met Katie – it was at Hello Beasty — I was with one of my favourite lunching sidekicks, Courteney Peters and we both felt sure we’d met her before. Turns out we hadn’t but instead, had just witnessed what true hospitality looks like. That sort of soft but confident, personable service that makes you feel right at home and cared for in an absolute instant. Sort of like if your Mum has grabbed your onesie from the dryer and popped you into a bed made of freshly cleaned flannel sheets, turned the night light on and sung you your favourite song. You know…familiar reassuring comfort. Look, Katie’s not your Mum, but her style of service is similar to being guided through the next two hours of your life by someone who has your best interests at heart and wants your dining experience to get the very best report card possible. 
It’s fair to say, Katie Woodhead had made an impression. 

That was PCT (pre-covid times) and Katie had been hired by Emma and Stu Rogan to help them establish some structure so their new restaurant could kick off with the best systems in place to perform well in the highly competitive world of making other people’s dinner. Katie earned the gig as her reputation for running a slick operation had preceded her. She was instrumental in setting up systems that made the likes of Scopa, The Bresolin, Madame Woo and others run like a tighter than tight ship where the people who worked there felt empowered by education. 
 
It was DCT (during covid times) that Katie headed back home to meet a very important wee man named Stanley and where she had a crack at making English wine and also worked the floor at Noble Rot (the London version – not the one located in our own lovely capital). 

This chat crosses continents, it includes high-risk travel hijinks, a delicious Marlborough Riesling, a robbery and a who dunnit and a story about a winemaker with one eye that saw Phoebe Waller-Bridge want a lot more of the Woodhead wine storytelling magic. 

All that before we even get to the brilliant business that Katie has just started. It’s called Wineheads and it’s designed to share the wonder of wine and how to make it profitable for punters intent on living a life in hospo.

Hell bent on breaking the mold this wahine grabs life by the gonads and I’m here for it. You should be too. 

So, drag the backpack from the back of the closet, grab a dog-eared copy of a Lonely Planet New Zealand styles and sip on something super fresh and fly, this is the not serious Katie Woodhead chat. 

not serious wine chats would like to thank our supporters:
Funded by Tradecraft
Supported with time and a place to record By the Bottle
Palate refreshing mineral water supplied by Antipodes Water Co.
Special thanks to my pal, Benj Brooking of Popular.nz for his help with the editing. An expert filmmaker, editing these chats is being done as one mate helping another. Thanks Benj. You're a legend.

join the chat > notseriouswinechats.nz 
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If you're struggling to put that glass down, perhaps our chats aren't the right ear candy for you.  While the chats are not serious, living your best life is a very serious matter indeed and a life fuelled by addiction doesn't sound dreamy at all.
If you think you need a hand, visit the Ministry of Health site for platforms that might help you take the first step towards taking control back. Our warmest wishes for success on that journey.