THE TEAM BEHIND THE FLAVOURS

TASTEMAKERS

At the heart of J’AIME is our exceptional all-female team.

These women are not only amazing chefs and professionals but also world travellers, beekeepers, endurance sport lovers, ukulele players, and dedicated mothers. Their strength, creativity, and collaboration exemplify the remarkable capabilities of women working together.

Bridget O'Sullivan – Co-owner / General Manager

We think Bridget deserves an honorary medal for making macarons widely available in New Zealand. An insightful businesswoman, Bridget leads the team with grace and grit. Her calm demeanour, eye for detail and limitless creativity for flavour combinations are the perfect ingredients for J’AIMEs success over 15 years.

Denise Morreau – Co-Owner / Marketing & Design

Originally from Brazil with Italian heritage, Denise was our designer for over a decade before officially joining our team. With a keen eye on the latest design trends, Denise’s extensive design experience spans Latin America, Europe and New Zealand. Her love of creating beautiful things include fine jewellery, scent design, and now, delicious treats.

Susannah van Slooten – Kitchen Lead, Pastry Chef

Our super talented Kitchen Lead is the creative force behind our macaron collections and confectionery, always emphasising the use of fresh, seasonal produce. Susannah's passion for food extends well beyond the kitchen; she is a dedicated beekeeper, cultivates her own vegetables and fruit, and raises chickens. Beyond her culinary expertise, Susannah is an avid off-piste skier, a world traveler, and a whiz with Excel spreadsheets.

Shelley Eyles – Sales Lead

This proud Christchurch girl fills the office with her contagious energy and enthusiasm every day. Her desk is always covered with freshly written post-it notes, a testament to her never-ending to-do list. Our customers unanimously agree that Shelley gets the job done. She brings the J’AIME family together with plenty of laughs and great weekend stories. You might even spot her axe throwing or in a mosh pit at a rock concert.

Kate Sekulla – Retail Lead & Pastry Chef

Our "blowtorch Kate" is the expert hand behind all things bruléed. A skilled pâtissier, she’s the driving force keeping our Merivale Store at its best. Kate's extensive culinary journey includes owning her own restaurant and working at distinguished hospitality and retail business in Christchurch. Hailing from a family of chefs, Kate's deep connections within Christchurch keep us informed about everything happening in the city. She's our pastry guru and life advisor—or is it the other way around?

Karen Mintrom – Customer & Dispatch

Karen is the warm and friendly voice behind customer queries and proudly holds the title of Resident Bow Tying Expert at J’AIME. Outside the office, Karen is a mother to three girls (including Susannah!) and enjoys playing the ukulele as a side hustle.

Lisa Pugh – Baker

Lisa is not only a masterful macaron piper and filler but also an experienced baker who keeps the kitchen lively with her fantastic playlists. As an endurance sports enthusiast, Lisa brings the same dedication and stamina to her baking as she does to her long-distance running. Her steady presence in the kitchen is matched by her infectious laughter, which keeps us all going once she gets started.

Janine Bowman – Retail Assistant

Janine is the cheerful, bubbly, and energetic personality behind the counter at our Merivale Mall store. She keeps our store shipshape and loves engaging in good chats with our customers. Before joining J’AIME, Janine worked extensively in the travel industry and now enjoys caravan holidays with her husband and their Labrador.

Lauren Reilly – Retail Assistant

This small but mighty Auckland girl is our chatty and trusty shop assistant at Merivale Mall. In addition to keeping the shop running smoothly, Lauren has a talent for origami and expertly folds our intricate Tusca panforte boxes.

Maggie Piyadasa – Kitchen Hand

Our ever-smiling Singaporean import, Maggie, is a helpful presence in the kitchen, always sporting rubber gloves with style. A mother of three, Maggie is known for making a mean cup of tea, loves horror movies, and enjoys weekend day trips spanning the length of the South Island and back!