Lorraine Mathieson is putting down her bread knife and leaving the oven switched off, as she steps down after almost 30 years running the canteen at the Forbury Park trials meetings.
Mathieson's late husband, Fergus, was a long-time committee member of Forbury Park Trotting Club and served as president from 2005-07, and it was his involvement as a trainer which got Mathieson down to the trials and race nights in the first place.
Mathieson is not sure when she started running the canteen, although she recalls being asked to take over the preparation and selling of food when John Eagles was president from 1987 to 1990.
''John Eagles got me into it,'' she said.
''I've enjoyed the work and the people.''
Pies and cheese rolls have been the staples for trainers and drivers over the years, Mathieson said.
New Zealand Trotting Owners Association (Otago Branch) president Aaron Johnston said Mathieson's hard work behind the scenes would be missed when the trials start again in January - on Saturdays.
''She's been doing morning teas and afternoon teas for years - she used to run the birdcage bar where a few long nights were had by all,'' he said.
Mathieson had ''done a lot for the whole industry and for Otago. It's all voluntary for her and she does a great job''.
