"In adversity lies opportunity" Bob Berry

I have always believed that. Have found that despite hardship or misfortune there might be a glimmer of opportunity if you look hard enough.

This past weekend I was reminded of this as I took a look behind the scenes at Whitestone Cheese in the captivating town of Oamaru. Resilience in the face of adversity became a thread throughout an evening of inspiring conversations spoken across a magnificent celebration of 30 years of New Zealand cheesemaking. Co-founder Bob Berry spoke of seeing opportunity when his peers thought him quite mad to attempt the transition from farmer to cheese maker. His lovely wife and co-founder Sue Berry told stories of wild ideas and crazy projects such as a failed restaurant, and CEO Simon Berry spoke of taking risks and challenging the traditional. Keynote speaker Katherine Rich (Chief Executive, New Zealand Food & Grocery Council) highlighted the incredible ability that the people of the Waitaki have to pick themselves up no matter what the circumstances and make things happen. Watching the evening unfold I was swept up in the immense pride that the Berry family and their team have in their cheese. The feeling of family and community and absolute joy in what they do, and how they do it. As I watched Sue Berry looking at images projected on the wall, I witnessed a snapshot of 30 years of hard slog, and madness, all of it in Sue's eyes a bloody great ride. Whitestone Cheese Co is now familiar at home in New Zealand as well as Internationally recognised. Their Vintage Windsor Blue has reached legendary status, and I have heard reports that Hugh Hefner had Whitestone Cheese permanently on the mansion shopping list. A little taste for you below...