Richard and Tatiana Sharp have owned and operated Whakatāne’s Robert Harris Café for nearly five years, earning multiple accolades during their tenure – including being named Rookies of the Year in their first year and taking out the coveted overall Robert Harris Franchise of the Year title in 2023.

Recently, they were named a finalist at the prestigious Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards in Auckland, earning high praise from judges who described the café as “a very strong contender”.

Mrs Sharp was also a finalist in this year’s New Zealand Chocolate Mousse Masters for her standout mango chocolate mousse.

Originally from Whakatāne and the Czech Republic respectively, the couple spent a decade in Switzerland where they founded a tourist-beloved chocolate factory, honing their skills as Swiss chocolatiers before returning to New Zealand to take on the Robert Harris café.

The Westpac judges praised the pair as “experienced businesspeople who identify opportunities and pursue them methodically”, highlighting their “people-over-profit philosophy” and “commitment to balancing work and family life while running a thriving Robert Harris franchise that has become a welcoming hub for locals and visitors alike.”

With seven-year-old triplets at home and a bustling café to run, life is full for the Sharps. They juggle early starts in the café with school runs, often tag-teaming mornings to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Between them and their 18-strong team, the café operates like a well-oiled machine – with Mr Sharp frequently on the coffee machine and Mrs Sharp jumping in wherever she’s needed, including the dishes.

“We’re here every day, right alongside our team,” said Mrs Sharp.

“Some of our staff have been with us since we opened – we’re really proud of them and the culture we’ve built.”

Community involvement is key to their ethos. The café regularly hosts Pink Ribbon Breakfasts, Bike to Work days, and supports a range of local fundraisers and raffles.

“We’ve grown the café not just in terms of customer numbers, but also as a community hub – a place where locals gather, catch up, and meet up for business,” said Mrs Sharp.

Looking ahead, the Sharps plan to keep innovating with fresh seasonal menu items and chocolate-inspired treats – think chocolate dipped marshmallows and fruit tarts – while maintaining the welcoming, familiar atmosphere that’s made them a Whakatāne favourite.

Mousse Masters

Earlier this year, Tatiana Sharp was named a finalist in the New Zealand Chocolate Mousse Masters, an exclusive competition organised by Weave Cacao and judged by internationally renowned chef Peter Gordon.

The challenge tasked contestants with crafting a dessert celebrating the Pacifica using Weave Cacao – the only chocolate sourced from cocoa beans growing in Papua New Guinea.

“It was such a unique challenge,” she said.

“They sent us a kilo of chocolate couverture, and we had to design a mousse-based dessert using it.

She travelled to Auckland for the final event, where competitors had just 90 minutes to create their chocolate dishes on-site. The pressure was intense, but her signature creation – a Papua New Guinea chocolate mousse with mango, decorated with mini orchids and mango coulis – stood out for its flavour.

Although she didn’t take home the top prize, she said it was an unforgettable experience.