My name is 'Ana Seini Mailei Savio I am the owner/founder and chef consultant for Gia's Grab&Go Limited. I finished studying at AUT gaining a certificate in Advanced Professional Cookery. I've been a professional chef for over 15 years together with my husband who is also a chef. We came up with Gia's Grab&Go after working and living 3 years in Italy and 4 years in London with our daughter Gia, short for Gianna who has food allergies.
Even as chefs we know how important it is to get wholesome, balanced and long lasting fuel when you're on the go. As a pasifika woman and mother being far away from your family for so long was tough. Then there was working 70 or more hours a week, hardly seeing your child and dealing with on going health problems your child had while you're trying to thrive in your career. Then there was the struggle to eat out because nothing was really safe for Gia to eat. I always wanted to become an entrepreneur or have my own business when I left high school but I wasn't ready then. But boy after climbing up the chef ladder, experiencing Michelin star, high end restaurants places I only dreamt of ever setting foot in and finally making Head chef in Italy and in London I experienced how tough it was to run a business. After we decided to relocate back to Auckland I knew I was ready and even a blessing that my husband is a great chef.
With Gia's Grab&Go you'll experience a range of healthy & wholesome pre-packaged meals that are gourmet, dairyfree, allergen friendly and vegan friendly often with a Pasifika or Italian fusion. They are mainly made fresh on delivery day. We also cater for Corporate and now Stock up our Lu Moa, Palusami and Dairy Free Nonna's Lasagne at Pak n Save Royal Oak for the moment that is our local pak n save.
Listen here for the podcast interview by Jesse Mulligan with Chef Ana Mailei Savio
After working as a chef in Italy for three years, Ana was impressed by how proud Italians were of their culture and food. Returning to New Zealand after a long stint overseas, she was surprised Pasifika food still had not entered mainstream New Zealand.
Maori and Pasifika food is often found either in fine dining restaurants or as takeaway street food in South Auckland but there was really nothing in between, Ana says.
Gia's sits somewhere in the middle, with pasta, salads, burgers, a vegan palusami made with local red cabbage (rather than imported taro leaves) and stuffed with capers and cauliflower and vegan desserts. All meals are allergy-friendly and dairy-free.
Ana developed Gia's Grab&Go so she and Adriano could have more work-life balance and time at home together with their daughter Gianna (the restaurant's namesake).
People are still getting used to Pasifika food presented in their way, she says, and business has been up and down this year.
Discovering during Auckland's first lockdown last year that Gia's could operate safely under level 4 restrictions was a help.
"We're going alright, our rent is pretty high. We're still chipping away and trying to get the word out there."
During Level 4, on Wednesdays and Fridays, Gia's Grab&Go offers free contactless delivery within 15 km of their location - 123 A Captain Springs Road, Onehunga. (There is a minimum of $60 per delivery order.)
Source: rnz.co.nz
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Sonia owner & founder of Koloa Jewellery
