Feel-good family fare is being served up by the Doherty family in Outram.
Fourth-generation Outram farmer Fred Doherty and his wife Clare have taken over the lease of the Wobbly Goat Cafe, and have started running the business with the help of their children Keady, Erin, Holly and Ryan.
They opened for their first customers on October 11 and were excited to provide quality food and coffee with a local flavour.
''It's a feel-good thing; good food and good company,'' Mr Doherty said.
The business lease was advertised for sale and the idea of running a cafe appealed, he said.
''I'm a local - the farm we've been on for 101 years is only 100m from the cafe - and I'm always going to be here. Our daughters have all worked in the hospitality trade and were keen on the idea.''
Eldest daughter Keady had been working in hospitality in Dunedin and middle daughter Erin was almost finished her university exams, he said.
They would run the cafe with part-time help from the youngest siblings Holly and Ryan.
Mrs Doherty would continue working at the Dunedin International Airport, but would spend some time in the cafe. Likewise, Mr Doherty would occasionally swap his farm clothes for an apron while also sorting the business administration.
Already the family had made some alterations to the cafe and developed a front courtyard with outdoor seating.
Where possible, they source Outram produce, including free-range eggs and meat.
''We are trying to keep a real local theme,'' Mr Doherty said.
Mr Doherty said all cabinet food and menu items were made fresh on site.
''Probably the neatest thing about this is the girls have been at uni and we've only seen them once a month, and now the whole family is back together.
''Seeing the girls step up and taking a leadership role has been really cool.''
In time, fresh local produce might also be sold through the business.
