Mojo Coffee that is. That is where the 23-year-old left-hander worked during the two and-a-half years while he waited for another opportunity to play first-class cricket for Otago.
The thing about instant success it is not that instant.
For most New Zealanders, Hamish Rutherford has emerged from nowhere to score a majestic 171 on test debut. His fabulous innings has put New Zealand in a dominant position of 402 for seven at stumps on day three.
But the reality is Rutherford slogged away playing club cricket for Green Island.
His initial foray into first-class cricket, you see, just was not that successful. He batted like someone with something to prove and a man in a hurry.
Growing up in the shadow of his father, former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford, could not have been easy.
Rather than open doors, it created expectations. He constantly was, and still is, compared with his father.
His mother, Karen Broad, who watched from the Long Room as her son excited the nation with his superb innings, put it best.
''Everyone else could turn up and play. He would turn up with expectations on him already,'' Broad said.
''And everyone expects him to just smash it, and that is not how Hamish plays.''
Rutherford did not play any first-class cricket between November 2009 and February 2012 and had to bide his time on the sideline.
When he was recalled to the Otago team it was at the expense of his buddy, Aaron Redmond.
Rutherford grasped the opportunity with a prolific scoring spree which included back-to-back hundreds and a double ton. It got him noticed by the national selectors.
After yesterday's effort, the whole world is taking notice.
But these days Rutherford is more relaxed about his cricket. He is not in such a hurry. He has matured.
''There were a few dark times [when I wasn't playing for Otago] and things go through your head,'' Rutherford said.
''I started working at a coffee shop and doing some bar work and started to find a bit more life enjoyment through playing cricket out of enjoyment, as opposed to looking at it from a work point of view.
''Cricket is not the be all and end all. I'm not saving babies. At the end of the day you nick off, you nick off. That's my approach, I suppose.''
And it worked. The Black Caps resumed on 131 without loss in a good position to press their advantage, having dismissed England for a paltry 167.
Rutherford's first drive was greeted with warm applause. The locals in the crowd, and truth be told many in the Barmy Army, were rooting for him.
He began the day on 77 and closed in on his century with some superb shot play.
Rutherford lost his opening partner Peter Fulton after the pair had added 27 to the overnight score.
Fulton's efforts were somewhat overshadowed. But his return to test cricket is worthy of note. He nicked out after a patient 55 and proved the perfect foil for Rutherford in a stand of 158.
Any disappointment was short-lived, as Rutherford crashed a drive through the covers off Steven Finn to become the ninth New Zealand batsman to score a century on debut.
Kane Williamson was last man to achieve the feat and watched from the other end. The pair embraced briefly before continuing the attack.
Rain loomed on the horizon most of the day and there was a definite nip in the air. Even the locals had an extra layer on.
The run rate dipped while Williamson (24) was gettingset but Rutherford picked up the slack before the lunch break, by whacking two sixesoff Monty Panesar.
His fine innings came to an end when he spooned a thick edge to square leg. Jimmy Anderson and the new ball conspired against Rutherford but he left field with the crowd standing to applaud what was the most successful debut since Mathew Sinclair scored 214 against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in 1999.
Following Rutherford proved a tough act, as Ross Taylor (31) and Dean Brownlie (27) got middling scores.
The cloud cover which had threatened to release its payload had now closed in and suddenly there was some movement on offer for the pace bowlers.
BJ Watling made a horrific misjudgement, shouldering arms to a delivery from Stuart Broad which nipped back and brushed his pads before clattering into the stumps.
New Zealand's response was to attack and Tim Southee swatted a few successful heaves before he was back in the dressing room for a hard-hit 25.
Bruce Martin brought up 400 for the team with an inside edge. They all count.
He is undefeated on 17, with Brendon McCullum also at the crease on 44. McCullum looked in good touch and the English will be keen to pick up his wicket this morning, before he gets going again.
