In a bid to offer Fijians a healthier alternative to fast food, Pio Raitoni Valesoqosoqo and his family are planning to open a chain of eateries across the country.
But, like most businesses in the country affected by the pandemic, they are focusing on home deliveries at the moment.
The Vaturova, Cakaudrove, native said they started their food business by renting a place to setup a restaurant in Nakasi in March last year where they sold rourou with mutton and cassava.
The former Queen Victoria School student said one of their biggest challenges was the $700 a month rent which fortunately was reduced to $500 when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a huge slump in businesses across Fiji.
Mr Valesoqosoqo said one reason he wanted to run a food business was because his wife was a good cook, especially when it came to iTaukei dishes.
“Our dream at home is to run a full-scale restaurant one day and then a chain of restaurants around the country,” he said.
“My wife, Vuli Yabakitolu, is from Tovu, Totoya, Lau, and she knows well how to cook seafood and other island delicacies and we believe this is a huge advantage for our business.”
However, just as things were beginning to pick up, they hit a barrier.
“At the beginning of this year the owner of the building told us to vacate the place, so we were forced to relocate home and used our kitchen to prepare meals and took to using Facebook to look for customers and things really began to pick up.
“We have increased the amount of food packs we sell and we have expanded our menu to ika vakamiti, vakasakera, sui, lovo, ika vakalolo, vuaka vakarourou, curry dishes and roast chicken with salad.
“So the closing down of our restaurant in Nakasi was a blessing in disguise because we are not paying rent and we have increased our business.
“We have also added value because we hire a taxi to deliver orders around the Suva-Nausori corridor.”
Mr Valesoqosoqo said he believed their business was doing well because of their faith in God.
“Our source of strength is our Heavenly Father and we always set out our plans for the coming week every Sunday afternoon.
“I also believe our business is doing well because most of our food is sourced from our farm at Wainibuku.
“We plant tavioka, dalo, ginger, cabbage, coriander, tomatoes, eggplant, chillies, spinach and rourou.
“We also have a fish pond and a pig pen.”
Mr Valesoqosoqo said while the pandemic had affected his children’s academic pursuits, it had provided a unique opportunity for them to learn about the family business.
