Kim makes good coffee and Cam makes a Danish to die for - put the two together and you’ve got the recipe for a successful business.

Kimberley Forrester and Cameron Bremner have joined forces to open KC’s Bakehouse & Coffee Hut on Arun St, just a stone’s throw from Fenwick School.

The pair have been friends for a long time, and decided around Christmas time to combine their talents and run a business together. The plan became a reality, and they are into week two, after opening last Monday (April 22).

Cam qualified as a baker about 14 years ago, but took a 10-year break to work in dairy farming. 

After a stint overseas, he rediscovered his passion for pastries, and worked at U-Bake in Washdyke, near Timaru before the commute became too much and he became manager at New World South Hill bakery for almost a year. 

Kim previously ran KO Coffee at the junction, before also heading overseas. Since her return, she has continued to work in various hospitality jobs around Ōamaru.

The KC’s premises most recently housed the disestablished Moa Bakery, Cakery - and so already had a commercial kitchen and a lot of what they needed.

“We didn't want to be in town, because everybody was in town, and we wanted a premises that was pretty much set up, and this came available,” Kim says.

Not even two weeks in, business is going “really well”. 

“People are supporting us. Teachers come over and support us as well . . . before school, lunchtime and after.

“It's been good so far. We're happy with how it’s going.”  

Although Cam’s work day is about 12 hours long, he still feels like he has more freedom working for himself, and enjoys being able to bake the things he’s passionate about - mostly pastries, and particularly Danishes.

“They're all custard-based, but we do a passionfruit, blueberry, apricot, salted caramel, raspberry and white chocolate, apple and rhubarb . . . it's just trying to expand that range, without going overboard,” Cam says.

He makes savoury offerings as well, including croissants, pies, bread, and even croquettes. 

All filled rolls, croissants, sandwiches and cheese rolls are also made using Cam’s baking, while Kim cooks a selection of slices, as well as churning out the espresso coffee using closely-sourced MacKenzie Coffee Co beans.

Cam starts work between 4am and 5am, and Kim usually starts between 5am and 6am. 

She has two children aged 15 and 12, and says she wouldn’t be able to do what she does, without the help of her mother and friends.

“I'm thankful for my mother, who comes in the home and does the morning for my son, because he's got Down’s syndrome. That's my 12-year-old. So, I'd be lost without her, and friends as well. Like my mum's away at the moment, so I've got another friend of mine who's coming in.”

The two are already involving themselves with community causes, donating their leftover bread at the end of each day for Toastie Tuesdays at the Oamaru Youth Centre, as well as contributing to the centre’s family community dinner.

While the premises on Arun St is on the cosy side, there is table seating for about 10 people, and they plan to offer a larger room next door as a private meeting room for groups.

“They can have the room for free if they order coffee and whatever,” Kim says. “That's going to be what we're looking at, when we get in there and sort it out.” 

The pair have their first catering gig this weekend, and are also looking to maybe join the Ōamaru Farmers Market once a month. 

Looking towards the future, the two have plenty of ideas - but are also conscious they need to “learn to walk first”, Cam says.

KC’s Bakehouse and Coffee Hut is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm, and Saturdays 8am to 1pm.