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Ministry of Food cafe hosts a Grand Closing Party after 28 years in their cafe premises next to parliament

Tonight, from 5pm, the Ministry of Food cafe will raise a glass to celebrate nearly three decades of catering to hungry Wellingtonians in the Bowen State Building, adjacent to The Beehive.

The longest owner-operators in the cafe business in Wellington, Brenda Jessup and Tony Lynch, original cafe entrepreneurs, started making coffees on one of the first modern espresso machines in 1988, when they reoccupied the Civil Service Cafeteria. Since then, their business has developed into a much-loved local haunt, where every day hundreds of civil servants, journalists and business people come to meet, eat, wine and dine.

A family-run business, the journey of Ministry of Food has been driven by both acumen and the personal touch. They've seen politicians come and go, been at the leading edge of food trends (their signature cheese scones are one of the biggest sellers on both their in-house and catering menus) and are now branching out in a new direction.

Up the road at 105 The Terrace, their journey continues at their new Bar & Kitchen, and they have just set up offices on the waterfront where business is humming.

They'll be celebrating the memories and milestones of their time in the hospitality industry with their Grand Closing Party. As Brenda explains, "This is one of the last of our famous Fridays at MOF. We're looking forward to seeing our regulars as well as many of the crew who have worked here over the years for a bit of a shindig. We'd love to share this moment with lots of locals too."

DJ Shan will be taking requests, the kitchen will be open and at the bar there will be $6 bubbles as well as $8 wine and beer - while stocks last.

- ENDS.

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