Page 19 - Fiji Traveller 2024 Issue 6

and engagement with the local community. All of the Malhana where it is—in the middle of a rural farming community—was
Cloud Kitchen’s staff, bar one, come from the local area. “One a gamble. So far, it’s paying off. Their story is part of a larger
of the main reasons why we wanted to open in this farming decentralisation trend that’s been afoot in Suva for many years
community was to provide employment,” said Joseph. “There now as satellite developments (including eateries) crop up in
are a lot of unemployed people in the area and most people suburbs like Flagstaff, Raiwai, Nakasi - and now Koronivia, once
have to catch two to three buses to get to work.” mostly known for the nearby agricultural research station.
Chef Rahul Krishna, who has done stints at Uprising Beach Places like Eden and Rudy’s in Tamavua and Zamzam in
Resort in Pacific Harbour and Kokomo Private Island in the Samabula have proven that Fijians are willing to make the trek
Kadavu Group, is from the area. Together, he and Joseph design for new culinary experiences. While it may be a fair distance from
the menu. Suva, Malhana Cloud Kitchen is only a ten-minute drive from
Beyond the restaurant, Waste Recyclers is working closely Nausori Airport, where the food and drink choices have always
with the local community on garbage collection, disposal been lacklustre at best and which works to their advantage.
and recycling efforts. To this end, they’ve set up a community “We were sent here while waiting on a connection at the airport
recycling station and built platforms to get household waste off and I can tell you, it is worth checking out! Lovely little spot, well
the ground and away from stray dogs. taken care of, and great service,” wrote Katie Burton, a traveller
“Covid taught us that we don’t have to be in Suva,” said on the restaurant’s Google Reviews. On the Sunday I visited, the
Amitesh, of their decision to base the offices for their businesses restaurant filled up with locals who came after church, and Fijian
in Koronivia on a plot of land that once belonged to his families living abroad. Joseph and Amitesh are proving the old
grandparents. “Our staff don’t have to spend two hours each day adage that if you will build it, they will come.
sitting in traffic.” The factories for their recycling operations are
in Lami and Lautoka. Malhana Cloud Kitchen
Their decision to take a chance and launch the restaurant

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