Collegian Ryan Dippie (Clark 1996-2000) is passionate about people and service. His mum and dad helped to kick start this passion during their years running the Kawerau service station. Ryan would help out on the forecourt pumping petrol and talking to people while they filled up.
His parents decision to send both him and his brother Owen Dippie (Clark 1997-2001) to boarding school, is a decision that upon reflection is not one he regrets.
“The boarding structure, the independence, the Tihoi experience were all key factors in my upbringing – it
ticked all the boxes. I was a sporty kid, passionate about golf, cricket and rugby. I was lucky enough to play with the likes of Dan Vettori and be coached by Warren Gatland. I look back and see just how fortunate I was."
“I was lucky enough to have a gap year to Osphery School in the UK during my first year out of school with my mate Christopher Furminger. Thanks to Mr Campbell at the time we had a ball overseas before I figured out I really needed to get my career on track. I enrolled at the Victoria University of Wellington to study law and management. Between my studies, I also juggled managing two restaurants in the city to help me pay for my studies."
While three quarters through completing his degree, Ryan figured out that hospitality is where he wanted to end up, preferably running his own restaurant. “I worked at the best restaurants around the country and made sure to learn from them.”
Married to the lovely Kat, Ryan and Katherine have two children, Quinn (6) and Henley (4).
“I met Kat while I was working at Harbourside restaurant in Tauranga and she was managing Bravo Restaurant Cafe. She was the boss, still is, and together we learnt hospitality from the best people in town, Jack and Nancy Hogg. Kat is the backbone of Fife Lane, managing everything back of house. Fife Lane wouldn’t be where it is today without Kat and we often talk about how lucky we are to have brought our vision together to create a dining experience based on quality food and wine.
Formally owning Rain Bar in Papamoa for 10 years, Fife Lane is the ultimate in design and exceptional detail: the menu, their staff, the wine selection – even their bathrooms!
Seating 80 but most nights catering between 90-110 guests, the destination location has simply been word of mouth. Converted from an old car sales yard in the lane of shops of Central Parade in Mount Maunganui, this spot is understated and genuinely unique.
