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EATING UP THE BAY LIFE Hawke’s Bay may be a world apart from ‘The Big Apple’, but Emma Hagen and husband Bart Narracci wouldn’t have it any other way. The owners of newly-opened Havelock North gourmet food store Bellatino’s are settling nicely into the Bay after living in the United States and then spending six years in Auckland, where they operated up to five fruit and vegetable stores. The couple met in the US while kiwi Emma was on holiday, and Emma says her husband - a native New Yorker - has long had a fascination with Hawke's Bay. "In Auckland, we used to get all our stone fruit from here. They used to have little stickers on them saying 'product of Hawke's Bay', and Bart was always saying "where is this place, we have to go there", Emma recalls. After making a decision to relocate with their children - daughter Isabella, 5, and one year old son Santino, the new store is named after the children, the Bay was the first stop on the couple's itinerary. "We got on a plane in Auckland in miserable weather. Forty five minutes later we stepped out into the sunshine. We said, "this is where we have to be", says Bart. "We haven't thought of Auckland since we got here" adds Emma. Which is great news for Foodlovers and Hawke's Bay growers and suppliers. As they did in Auckland, the couple are using the new store to showcase local produce. Among the items on the shelves, which includes organic and gluten free products, you'll find local producers such as The Village Press, Orcona and Aromatics. The couple say they have been bowled over by the quality of Hastings butcher, Dynamic Meats. They also stock a large variety of Italian cheeses, pastas and other ingredients in keeping with Bart's heritage - a little piece of Italy, if you will. With the growing season not far away, the coupel are eager to strike up as many partnerships with local growers as they can. "We really want someone to grow a Brandywine pink tomato for us. It's like a big beefsteak tomato - its ugly and it splits - but it tastes amazing!" says Emma. If you can help, call the couple on 8775997 or visit them at Bellatino's on the corner of Napier Rd and Treachers Lane, Havelock North. |