Our Story
A space for you.
A place to slow down, connect, and savour.
Gather is a fresh new eatery that celebrates simplicity done well: seasonal ingredients, authentic flavours, and meals designed to be shared, savoured, and remembered.
Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch (and available for special events), Gather offers a warm, comfortable setting where everyone is welcome – whether you're dining solo, meeting friends, or gathering with family.
Expect dishes with a fresh twist, served in a relaxed, elegant space designed to foster conversation and connection. It’s food that’s good for the soul, in a space that feels like your own.
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About us.
From the team behind Ripe Deli
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After 24 years of bringing vibrant, fresh food to Aucklanders, the team behind Ripe Deli is excited to be doing something a little different.
Gather marks a new chapter – a sit-down eatery that leans into slower moments.
We’re proud to be launching this new concept as part of the Ripe group, adding to our family of four delis and stepping into a new style of dining.
Ripe’s founders, Angela Redfern and Greg Snelgrove, have built a trusted brand that continues to evolve thanks to an incredible team, including long-time creative director Amy Melchior, and the support of long-standing partners like Smales Farm, where Ripe has had a presence since the Goodside first opened in 2018.
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Gemma Heffernan - General Manager
Patrick Schmitt - Head Chef
Gather is led by General Manager Gemma Heffernan and Head Chef Patrick Schmitt, two long-serving members of the Ripe team who are taking the reins of this exciting new venture.
Gemma’s hospitality career began young, washing dishes at her family’s St Heliers restaurant after school. That early start sparked a lifelong passion that’s taken her around the world. She’s spent the past 15 years as an integral part of Ripe, helping lead its growth and shape its culture.
Patrick grew up in Germany, surrounded by the buzz of his family’s restaurant. After training as a chef, he came to New Zealand on an adventure – and never left. “I’ve worked in some incredible restaurants,” says Patrick, “but when I found Ripe, I knew I’d landed somewhere special.”
Patrick and Gemma are bringing their combined decades of experience to Gather with a shared vision to create something that feels down-to-earth yet elevated, familiar yet exciting, and always full of flavour.
“We’re taking everything we’ve learned in our years at Ripe and building something new,” says Gemma. “Gather is a place to feel at home – to enjoy great food, warm service, and a moment to breathe.”
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
