Ship Passengers Cruise into Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin - 20 March 2007

Nearly 200 passengers from the ‘Oriana’, one of the world’s biggest and most luxurious cruise ships, stopped for lunch at Rations Café and to visit the Army Museum in Waiouru recently. The stop was part of the overland tour itinerary for the passengers.

“We have been working extremely hard over the last 18 months to present Waiouru as a viable and interesting location to stop, refresh and relax,” says Ron Cherian, owner of Rations Café – Army Museum Waiouru.

“The biggest challenge has been to dispel the general perception that Waiouru is just a stop for petrol and soggy pies. We’ve got a café, museum and gift shop all under one roof and all of world-class standards and we just had to get that message out convincingly”

Army Coup for Waiouru Café

Ruapehu Bulletin – 19 December 2006

Rations Café – Army Museum Waiouru became the first food and beverage operator outside the Waiouru Army Camp to be chosen to cater for one of the most prestigious events in the army calendar – the graduation service of the Officer Cadet School (OCS).

“We are very honoured to have been chosen to cater for such a prestigious event and thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve this elite unit. This is a huge breakthrough for us,” says Ron Cherian, owner of Rations Café.

He said he believed their services were chosen for their “uncompromising pursuit of quality” combined with their expertise in military functions and protocols.

“My team put in an extraordinary effort to put this together and I’m extremely proud of them.”

Around 350 people attended the graduation service of the OCS, which is part of a series of events over four hectic days that consist of protocols, formal and informal functions culminating in the cadets being made officers in the New Zealand Army – a proud and emotional moment for the cadets and their loved ones.

Army News - 9 August 2005

Restaurant operator Café au Lait Limited has taken over the lease of Rations Café at the Army Museum Waiouru. The new owners want to raise the profile of the café with the locals from Taihape to Ohakune, as well as thousands of domestic and international visitors passing through from out of town.

“The Army Museum is truly a world-class attraction”, says Ronald Cherian, manager and owner of Café au Lait. “We will bring Rations Café up to that standard in presentation, quality and service. The café is the first thing visitors see when they step into the museum premises and the last thing they experience when they leave. We’ve got them both for the first and last impressions, there’s no room for error. We believe we have employed the right people to take on that pressure.”

It is the intention of Café au Lait to be part of the planned extension and development called “Project Tamitea”, which will double the size of the museum. “We will operate in partnership with the museum to exceed the expectations of all visitors in terms of products and service,” says Ronald. “This is not a one-year wonder, we want to be here for the long hail and be part of this exciting development.”

Malaysia-born Ronald Cherian is a Swiss-trained hotel and catering professional with over 20 years experience in Switzerland, Malaysia, Australia and Cook Islands. Most recently Ronald was the Hospitality Manager at the Waiouru Military Camp for almost three years, responsible for all the catering, accommodation and cleaning at the camp.

The food at the café will be an eclectic mix to cater for the wide range of visitors from bus groups, families and individuals of varied ages, passing highway traffic and the local military and civilian population. There will be an a la carte menu and blackboard specials as well as counter-display items. The café will also cater to the strong demand for reasonably priced morning and afternoon teas with a selection of sandwiches, slices, cakes, muffins etc.