We are lucky to know some amazing people in our world. They really do exist and one of those is the lovely Sunny who owns and manages Aarth Cafe at Taigum Village. When Covid messed up plans for Hubbys 50th, I dropped past Aarth and asked Sunny if he would consider doing a private function, after hours.
And so it evolved. Sunny confirmed he could do this with his team, and the planning began.
Ideas popped back and forth but Sunny created an event menu for twenty people in a few days. Next, he added the red lounge for a backdrop, something which would be instagramable. Sunnys enthusiasm and ideas were contagious, we added props for a photo booth effect.
After choosing four entrees, each guest then pre ordered their main and dessert, the choices being emailed to Aarth at least a week prior to the event. This way all tastes could be catered for. No problem if people have allergies or certain tastes, ie, vegetarian. Sunny and his team adjusted menu items to suit the individuals. Something which can be done if the restaurant has plenty of notice.
This licenced venue can cater easily for small groups of about twenty. Our event was 20 people exactly which meant the cafe could be divided into two areas. Outside area was used for pre dinner drinks and continuous entrees. Inside area was set up with three tables seating a total of 20.
In agreement with Sunny, I had added a welcome drink to the package for each guest. Aarth has a range of beer and wines, including some Marlborough NZ Black Cottage varieties, however they don’t cater for individual spirits. A limited range of spirits are available as cocktails though, which went down well as welcome drinks.
Once your guests have mingled for a couple of hours, head on inside for your meals. There is a TV used for the cafes own advertising, which Sunny is more than happy to change to your digital photos for the duration of your private event.
Sunny and his team went to a lot of effort to set up the event and make sure things ran smoothly. With the ground work, pre done, it meant we could all relax whilst the event ran like clockwork. Remember to check the walls too, there is a local artist Sonya Rae, who displays her beautiful airbrushing at the cafe. All are for sale too!
We cannot highly recommend Sunny for a private event enough. Aarth Cafe will design a package to suit your small group. Drop by Aarth or contact via message on Facebook or Instagram. Sunny would be delighted to assist with hosting your small event.
Thank you to Sunny and his wonderful, team for hosting such a successful event! Much gratitude 🙏.
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Sonya Rae Erhart possesses not only, unbelievable talent, but patience way beyond most parameters. I spent some one on one time in her studio to understand her work. And, I was completely mesmerised.
Tools of the trade are important for any artist, and Sonya has come a long way in perfecting choices in her chosen field. From the canvas through to the types of mediums and airbrushes used, Sonya not only ran me through her processes and equipment, she did it with the enthusiasm of a beautifully proud new parent.
After projecting an image onto the canvas, Sonya then sketches the outline in pencil. Very light, so you wont pick it up in this photo, however there is a faint outline of the hat and collar. And yes, the little picture taped on the left, is what she uses to guide her way through the colours and shapes, after choosing her subject.
Always by her side, are these two adorable boys, Beau & Bobby. They keep their human Mum well within their range and ensure she always has company.
I looked into the history of airbrushing, to understand its origins. The first airbrush or paint distributor/atomiser as they were first named, was patented in 1876 by Edgar Francis Stanley in Massachusetts.
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