Inspired by the way his Cypriot mother, Lefki, made halloumi cheese, Michael Matsis decided to research the art of cheese making. With a Food Technologist degree under his belt and years of perfecting the art of cheese-making, Michael’s dream became a reality in 2000 when he started up Zany Zeus with his sister Meropi, in Lower Hutt, Wellington.

Initially Michael focused on introducing a traditional Cypriot halloumi cheese to the New Zealand market which was relatively unknown at the time. It wasn’t long before the awards began rolling in and Zany Zeus cheeses, including halloumi and feta became a well-loved and recognised brand in the hospitality industry.

Following increasing demand from customers wanting to buy retail-sized Zany Zeus products, Michael and Meropi decided to open their retail store in March 2012, just up the road from the milk and cheese factory.