Cory and Nicola Peterson started their Now Bao food truck a few years ago after they had both become tired of working for others and seeing no huge financial benefit.
The couple invested in a food truck from Christchurch and took the plunge with what they had in the bank at the time.
"We were paying that off forever and ever."
The truck became so successful that in March they will be opening Now Bao restaurant on Little St.
Mr Peterson is a former head chef at Queenstown restaurant Blue Kanu, as well as the former restaurant Ivy and Lola.
Having been a chef around the world, namely in his homeland of the United States across New York, Las Vegas, Chicago and Colorado — Mr Peterson always dreamed of opening his own restaurant one day, he said.
"It is a huge thing for us, two people with no backing from anyone, no rich parents," Mrs Peterson said.
"The food truck was the best way to enter into the market, to see how we would get on and make sure everyone liked it. We couldn’t afford a restaurant from the start," she said.
The couple have worked relentlessly, sometimes 120 hours a week, across festivals, markets and social gatherings.
Mrs Peterson said balancing this with their two children aged 5 and 7 had been hard work, but they had adapted.
"It can be impossible; I don’t get babysitters, the school holidays are long, it can be really tough."
Along with bao buns, they wanted to create a place of sharing plates, at affordable prices for the whole family.
"It’s going to be a mix of flavours from around the world served family style on platters where everyone gets a bite/taste of something delicious. We don’t want people having food envy and wishing they had ordered differently when they see what their partner or friends chose.
"People like family style flavours from all around the world. The transformation is going to be huge, changing it from a hair salon to a working kitchen."
They also hope to run a Chicago signature cocktail bar, which they believed was lacking in Wanaka.
The couple are running a Pledge Me for their future customers to help with the opening and benefit with a meal, tastings and other Pledge Me treats.
