A pay-as-you-feel dining concept that aims to reduce food waste, food poverty and social isolation is seeing people from all walks of life break bread together on Monday nights in Papamoa.

Everybody Eats is a pop-up restaurant operating out of Bluebiyou – an upmarket restaurant overlooking Papamoa Beach - to bring a sit-down, table service dining experience to the wider community.

Three-course meals are prepared and served by volunteers using food rescued by Good Neighbour and diners pay as much or as little as they can afford.

The registered charity also operates out of Auckland and Wellington, with plans to expand it to other cities in future.

Founder Nick Loosley, winner of the 2020 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year, set up a seven-week trial of Everybody Eats in Papamoa last year. Its success, and sponsorship from the Wright Family Foundation, will see Everybody Eats continue weekly from 15 February.

'The trial went really well, with between 120 and 160 people dining each night. It has a really nice vibe and the community seems really into it,” he says.

Kai Aroha founder Tania Lewis-Rickard was instrumental in helping to promote Everybody Eats in the community. The volunteer organisation provides free weekly community meals in Greerton, Papamoa and Mount Maunganui.

'Everybody Eats' values line up with Kai Aroha values - to reduce poverty and social isolation. For those who struggle to have nutritious kai on the table every night of the week they now have two options for community meals.

'The Everybody Eats team makes people feel welcomed, comfortable and valued. That is the key factor - the ngakau aroha (compassion). You see the sparkle in their eyes and the cheer in their smiles; it's real. That's what keeps Everybody Eats successful, and of course the delicious kai!”

Chef Matt Schaeffer and his brother Nathan Schaeffer co-own Bluebiyou and feel that opening their doors one night a week so everyone can come and eat at their beachside location – on council land in the middle of a reserve - is a great way to give back to the community.

Matt has previously volunteered with Everybody Eats in Auckland and regularly gives up his night off to work at Everybody Eats Papamoa.

'I really like the vibe – it's wholesome, and therapeutic in a way – and it's been a great way to build relationships with other local hospitality professionals.”

Bluebiyou chef Matt Schaeffer plating up desserts for diners at the Everybody Eats pop-up restaurant. Photo: Chay McLaren, Fluro Grey.

While donations from diners cover most of the operating costs, sponsorship from the Wright Family Foundation will help meet the cost of consumables, pay some staff costs and top up the rescued food.

The Wright Family Foundation chose to support Everybody Eats after working alongside Nick Loosley and Blue Light in 2020 to provide meals to vulnerable families in South Auckland during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

'We're thrilled to support Nick to offer Everybody Eats in Papamoa,” says Wright Family Foundation CEO Chloe Wright.

'Paying as much as you feel means you can share the load. Supported by a great team of volunteer staff and chefs, our community can only benefit in shared meals and connections of people.”

WHAT: Everybody Eats pop-up restaurant at Bluebiyou, 559 Papamoa Beach Road. Pay-as-you-feel.

WHEN: Every Monday night from 15 February, 6pm-8pm