When Coffee Hub Fiji began operating in 2019, it started with a three-member team. One of them was 32-year-old pastry chef Rejieli Camaira, who is based at the Nadi Back Road Coffee Hub outlet and oversees the pastry team.
Originally from Naivuvuni Village in Ra, Ms Camaira said she was fortunate to have met the owner and founder of Coffee Hub, Zoro Shakil Bhamji, a long time friend, after being released from a hotel during COVID-19 five years ago.
“I first met Zoro at Value City in Namaka,” she said.
“He asked where I was working. I told him I was working as a pastry chef at New World Supermarket in Votualevu after being released from the hotel in 2019.
“Zoro insisted that I resign and work with him. “And since then, I have been working at Coffee Hub. I enjoy working with my team at Nadi Back Road.”
Ms Camaira says the business has grown over the years. She started with one oven to bake pastries.
“We were a small team and now we have more than 180 staff members. I feel overwhelmed working with Zoro. He is a bit strict, but it helps us most of the time.
“I get advice from Zoro because he would show me pictures of cakes that he wanted baked and sold at the café.”
Ms Camaira says she would try her best with the whisking and then present it to him.
“So, he would give us instructions on how the cakes should be done. Even though he is not a pastry chef, he knows things.
“Because he has travelled around the world, he comes back to Coffee Hub to share his knowledge.”
“The Coffee Hub outlet on Nadi Back Road is usually busy most times, and we have the most staff because we do all the pastries before delivering them to our outlets. I’m the one who bakes all sorts of cakes with my pastry team.” She said the support from her partner and family has kept her going throughout the stress of the workaday world.
“I have a partner who understands me and my work. He drops and picks me from work.
“I’m proud to have been part of the journey at Coffee Hub since it started.
“We have a lot of customers who return to buy our pastries and coffee, especially at our Nadi Back Road outlet. Now, it has become a popular spot for many business executives and tourists as well.”
Ms Camaira advises young people to always believe in themselves to achieve their life goals.
