Grieving father faces loss of business

Following the loss of his beloved wife, Yusuf Corten could now lose his business too as he adapts to life as a single father of three.

Yusuf ’s wife Rose died on January 3 following a battle with cancer.

Now the sole caregiver of three children aged 17, 14 and 2, Yusuf is struggling to balance his business with taking care of his family all while stricken with grief.

“I am tired and sad.”

Yusuf has been desperately searching for a kebab chef for more than six months.

He has tried to bring a friend and qualified chef over from Turkey to help him, however immigration has declined his application twice.

Should the third attempt also fail, Yusuf says he will have no choice but to shut up shop.

“My kids need me. Balancing home and business is not easy, I need help.”

Yusuf bought the Kebab Kitchen on Bridge St in 2018 and has given away at least two free meals every day since.

Whether they are homeless, unemployed or just a little down on their luck, Yusuf will always help someone in need.

He gives away a minimum of $1000 a week for the charitable meals, however, profit is not his primary concern.

Yusuf understands what it is like to go to bed hungry.

Growing up in a poor family of four kids and a single mum in Turkey, there was often not enough money to feed everyone.

“I slept many years hungry.”

Yusuf says he does not have the time necessary to train a donor kebab chef.

“This job looks easy, but it is not easy. I have been a chef for 27 years, but it took six months to learn to make a kebab.”

He is forced to close his business regularly throughout the day in order to get his children to and from school, help with homework, feed and bathe them, and get them to bed.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says she has been meeting with Yusuf regularly.

“It has been an incredibly distressing and difficult time for him and his family.”

Rachel says she is heartbroken about the loss of Yusuf ’s wife. “He does so much amazing work in community, he is very loved.”

Rachel says due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is incredibly difficult for people outside New Zealand without citizenship to get through the border.

“The threshold is extremely high, and decisions are operational from Immigration NZ.”

She asks if anyone knows of a qualified doner kebab chef, to please put them in touch.

“That would be incredibly helpful.”

Rachel is calling on the Nelson community to help repay the kindness Yusuf has shown over the years, encouraging them to stop by the Kebab Kitchen for a meal.

“He has been an incredibly generous member of our community to people in need, I’m hopeful the community can support him so he can keep his business open."