By Avaneesh Raman.
Pushed about by circumstances and trodden on by the pandemic, foodpreneur couple, Vui and Frank Saketa turned their foodie fun into a living wage from the kitchen of their Valelevu home.
Despite some serious punches thrown at their Kanalevu Kitchen (KLK) dream, the KLK brand has expanded into its permanent home at Laucala Bay almost three years to the day since its inception.Kanalevu in the iTaukei language means having an immense appetite and bure is associated with wooden/straw hut. The Kanalevu Bure is set to redefine the Fijian dining experience that Suva City has yearned for.
A Tasting Soiree with the Perfect AmbianceA tasting soiree was held at the Kanalevu Bure with an intimate set-up. It was the perfect opportunity for a group of influencers, friends of the media, family and friends to have a first-hand experience of some of the signature dishes that will be part of the menu at the Kanalevu Bure.
The crafted Pina Coladas and Virgin Mojitos set the perfect mood for the evening. While the mains included an assortment of locally sourced ingredients, it was the Kanalevu take on Nachos; the kumara crisps with seafood that foretold what was to come.
Baked kumara (sweet potato) and garlic bread was the perfect pairing with the divine roast chicken served with succulent homemade gravy. The chicken was perfectly marinated with herbs. The assortment of salads perfectly complemented the spread. One of my clear favourites was the papaya salad. The fish was also cooked to perfection and I loved the eggplant with miti which was lovely with fish and kumara pairing.
I must confess that I was in awe with the assortment of dishes and each dish encompassed fresh local ingredients and I certainly felt the Bula spirit as each dish was cooked with so much love by the KLK crew.
The signature grazing table set-up was divine as always and I could not resist the selection of home-made chocolate brownies, strawberries and chocolates. KLK’s set-up of their signature grazing platters is a local favourite and always the highlight at events, whether it is for birthdays, weddings, baby showers or for corporate meetings and social events.
Sharing the Bula Spirit: It’s all about CollaborationAs the perfect hosts for the evening, Vui and Frank Saketa explained that the set-up for the evening was a collaboration with other small to medium entrepreneurs (SME). Both of them in their entrepreneurial journey have not only advocated for sharing Bula through food but also sharing the Bula spirit with uplifting and encouraging their fellow SME community.
With the lock-downs and curfews during 2020, the couple explored creative avenues to collaborate and compliment other SMEs and to engage in conversations and nurturing those much-needed connections.
The table set-up and beautiful backdrop for the soiree was curated by the creative team of 7designevents. The lighting was provided by stagetechfiji and beautiful memories of the evening captured by the talented Navneet Narayan of N Studios Multi Media Company.
The collaboration with these SME businesses are commendable in promoting Kanalevu Bure’s new beginnings. Kudos to the creative public relations genius Today Media Fiji for curating the event with Vui and Frank and uplifting the KLK Brand to new heights
Pursuing PassionHaving worked for respective banking institutions in Fiji for a number of years, Vui and Frank Saketa undertook risks in a bid to pursue their business interests. Since then, the journey has been a rewarding experience for both. Frank Saketa with his prior experience in procurement at the banking institution is now handling the logistics and procurement for KLK.
He ensures to source fresh and local ingredients whilst supporting market vendors. Vui has been an inspiration to female entrepreneurs and has been featured in the “I am Woman” Magazine.
Vui has been effective at marketing strategies especially utilizing the social media platforms to market the KLK brand. She does not regret pursuing her passion. The support from friends, family and the SME community has been incredible especially during 2020 and to date.The X FactorBrace yourselves for Suva’s latest open-air venue offering as you sit and relax amidst the refreshing sea breeze whilst relishing local flavors. Whether it be the mouth-watering gastronomical experience or sipping on desired cocktails, your taste buds surely won’t be disenchanted. You can be guaranteed to secured parking options and booking venue options for your next event. 220 Laucala Bay Road will soon be transformed into the coolest hangout space so stay tuned to this space for further updates.
Source: Adapted with Permission from The A-ConnectionPhotos courtesy of Kanalevu Kitchen and N Studios Multi Media Company
About The Author.
Avaneesh Raman is commonly known as Avi among his friend circles as the A-Connector. After specialising in the field of Economics & Governance and working in the finance industry in Fiji for over 14 years, Avi pursued his career aspirations in the wider Asia Pacific region and relocated to Myanmar, Asia for a three-year consultancy project. In March 2020, amidst the global pandemic and relocating to Fiji, Avi found a true calling in his blog. His passion for photography complemented with articulate expressive yearned for a platform for projection and hence led to creation of THE A CONNECTION. Avi has as evolved both personally and professionally through his extensive travel experiences and has a passion of giving back to the community and building connections through networking and through his social media influencing skills. For more information visit: https://theaconnection.blogspot.com/
