About us
We’re a family-owned and operated business based at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru. If we’re not spending time with our family, you’ll likely find us in the kitchen preparing for an event, out delivering catering, or serving guests on-site. With over 20 years in the industry, we’ve built Catering South Canterbury on the belief that great food brings people together—and we’re committed to making every event memorable, stress-free, and delicious.
Meet the owners
Catering South Canterbury is proudly owned and operated by Paul and Lynette Hawker – a husband and wife team with a long-standing passion for food, people, and exceptional service.
Paul is a qualified chef with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, including food and beverage management for international hotel groups. After four years as Operations Manager and Head Chef of Christchurch and Canterbury Spitroast.com, he and Lynette saw the opportunity to bring spitroast-style catering back home to South Canterbury.
Now working full-time alongside Paul, Lynette plays a key role in running the business and helping deliver seamless events. Their son Matthew has also joined the team, making it a true family operation.
Together, they continue to own and operate Mid & South Canterbury Spitroast.com and Stockman’s Bakery, drawing on decades of hospitality experience across conferences, catering, cafés, and countless private and corporate functions. None of this would be possible without their amazing manager and dedicated team — whose hard work, care, and consistency have helped grow the business into South Canterbury’s largest out-catering company.
From the rugged high country to elegant garden weddings, Paul, Lynette, and Matthew have catered in some of the most picturesque corners of the South Island. They thrive on the variety each event brings and take pride in delivering high-quality catering—without the stress.
At the heart of it all is their commitment to people. For them, it’s about more than food—it’s about being part of the celebration and making sure every guest leaves happy (and well fed!).