Turning Surf, Food & Community into a Business | Luke’s Kitchen aka Luke Reilly

Luke’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood shaped by the ocean, small community living, and hands-on learning laid the foundation for everything that followed.

In this episode, Luke shares how his pathway into hospitality wasn’t driven by academic success, but by practical skills, people, and a willingness to work hard. Navigating school with dyslexia and struggling in traditional classroom settings, he found confidence in hands-on environments - from woodwork to cooking - eventually discovering a passion for the kitchen while working part-time washing dishes.

That early experience grew into a career built through real-world learning. Luke takes us through his journey from local kitchens to working across New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia - learning from different chefs, environments, and cultures along the way. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, resilience, and saying yes to opportunities, even when they’re uncertain.

Returning home in his early twenties, Luke opened a small food caravan with no long-term plan - simply to surf, cook, and enjoy the Coromandel lifestyle. What followed was an unintentional but powerful example of entrepreneurship, as that small setup evolved into what is now known as Luke’s Kitchen - a thriving, community-loved destination built over years of adaptation, problem-solving, and growth.

Luke also opens up about the realities of running a business - from learning tax and employment the hard way, to building a team, managing growth, and creating a culture where staff feel like family. His story highlights that success doesn’t always come from a clear plan - sometimes it comes from backing yourself, working hard, and staying open to where opportunities lead.

This episode is for students exploring career options, anyone considering hospitality as a pathway, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those who learn best by doing rather than sitting in a classroom.

His biggest lessons? Lean into your strengths. Learn by doing. Surround yourself with good people. And don’t wait for the perfect plan to get started.