Welcome to our website, it has been constructed with the same qualities that dictate the running of our business. Fine products, passion, respect and knowledge. We care about sustainability and the environment and our philosophy is that great food should be available to all at a reasonable price. Please enjoy our website.
History:
On Trays started out in early 1998. Based out of a bakery in Brooklyn, we had a sandwich trolley with deserts and meals. The sandwiches were gourmet, ahead of their time, and there was a uniform, printed serviettes, wrapped mints and even one of the first mobile Eftpos machines. This became two trolleys, and we sold a substantial number of sandwiches, but the business was very dependant on the weather. At the same time we acquired a cheese agency, and shortly thereafter another. Our first invoice was to Logan Brown, still a valued customer.
In mid 1999 we moved to Jackson Street in Petone and included a small retail shop, open for a few hours daily. This grew, and our stock and customers increased to the point where we had to have larger premises. We moved to our Fitzherbert Street site in April of 2002.
Kelly and Valda, with an 86 kilogram wheel of French Emmental
Over the years we grew to import a number of lines, and cover Foodservice as well as other retail outlets all over New Zealand. Our philosophy remained the same – Best possible products at reasonable prices. This, coupled with the backing of good knowledge and fantastic suppliers, together with great customers. Our knowledge base extends to Kosher, Halal and Vegan. Valda has a vast array of books in her library, and is always ready to discuss recipes or ingredients. We carried what we believe to be the widest range of cheese, both local and imported, as well as smallgoods including the world’s finest. We had great ranges of olives, as well as extra virgin olive oils. Our range of wine went from the humble (but very good) to some of the finest from New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and Israel.
Our shop opened 5 days a week .We are closed on public holidays to allow our hardworking staff a well deserved rest. We use bio-degradable packaging where possible, and recycle as much packaging as we are able.
Steven and Valda Scheckter in their shop 2004
Dedicated food emporia, such as the Scheckters’ Petone shop (photographed in 2004), import South African products. These foods cater to expatriates’ cravings and introduce New Zealanders to new flavours. Products such as Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Rooibos Tea and Ouma Rusks may be unfamiliar to most New Zealanders, but for South Africans they provide a culinary and sentimental link with their home country. Strangely, Marmite is also imported, as the South African recipe differs from the New Zealand product.
An entry from Te Ara, the encyclopedia of New Zealand, available here.
In September 2019 we refurbished the store and added a small cagfe to the shop. At this time we renamed the business Scheckter’s Deli.
The much loved Reuben in Petone.
Last week for sandwiches in Petone - with the A Team
We had the busiest week ever for sandwiches, THANK YOU for the love! A huge shout to the A Team who did it flawlessly. No mistakes. Codi, Lily, Lisa and George - what a fine group of great young people. Valda the perfect manager! We know that some missed out, and that waiting times were long. We apologise. We put through 1666 sandwiches in seven days, to put that in context a sandwich every 90 seconds. We consumed almost a quarter ton of pastrami!
We closed Petone down in June 2022 to downsize following some health issues, and opened a small deli in Johnsonville Shopping Centre in August 2022.
Johnsonville Store
Our lease ended in Johnsonville in August 2025 and we felt the need to make Reubens one more time! So we set yp in Kilbirnie.
We do not sell via the website, or take credit cards over the phone. We are more than happy however to discuss your requirements, and ship as far as you may be within New Zealand. You are welcome to call on04 9399925, or email us admin@ontrays.co.nz or deli@schecktersdeli.com Want to arrange a gift or gift voucher in New Zealand from anywhere in the world ? No sweat! We will do it, and do it well, beyond expectations. Please ask.
We do gift boxes, and whatever we can to give our customers a sensational experience.
We also do platters. Any size, style, budget. Better than anywhere else.
Valda is our Wedding Cheese Expert. Brides and Grooms, talk to Valda now. Reserve your cheese - have some left for the day after!