Meet the Team

Ryan King – Founder

Favourite Dish - Linguine alle Vongole

I believe New Zealand’s food landscape is world-leading — a vibrant reflection of our innovative and creative spirit. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the pioneers who embody this ethos and I’ve been honoured to serve as a trusted supplier.

My vision for Tastemakers is to build a platform where suppliers can trial new products with an enthusiastic audience or introduce their existing catalogue to new markets.

Our role is simple: to keep the spirit of competition alive for our Tastemakers and to create a space where experimentation and innovation are encouraged. The true heroes are the New Zealand suppliers whose creations make this possible.

If you're a supplier with an idea for collaboration, I’d love to hear from you. One thing I can promise — we’ll put you in the front seat.

Nat Erceg – Creative Director

Favourite Dish - Chocolate and lots of it!

With over a decade of experience in graphic design, branding, and digital innovation, I bring a strategic and creative edge to every project. Having worked across global design hubs including London, Chicago, and Melbourne, I offer a unique perspective that blends international insight with local relevance. My mission is to craft purposeful, impactful designs that fuse functionality, sustainability, and creativity.

Cassandra – Customer Service

Favourite Dish - Pavlova with passionfruit curd and fresh strawberries

Friendly, energetic, and always ready to help, I’m the welcoming face and voice of the team. With a passion for creating positive first impressions and making people feel at ease, I thrive in fast-paced environments where professionalism and personality go hand in hand. Whether it’s greeting guests, solving problems, or keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, I bring enthusiasm, attention to detail and a can-do attitude to every interaction.

Jeremy Kirkham – IT & Web Development

Favourite Dish - Coq au Vin

As an experienced software engineer, I specialise in building robust, scalable web applications and leading high-performing development teams. I bring a strong focus on clean code, efficient workflows, and continuous delivery. Passionate about solving complex technical challenges, I thrive in collaborative environments where innovation and quality go hand in hand.