You can find Devina Ramlu wowing customers with her tasty Nae Nae pickles at Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sunday mornings.
Where did you grow up?
In a small town in Fiji.
Did you start your working life there?
Yes, I started in a bank as a stenographer for their international department, before I was lucky enough to land a job as an air hostess for Air Pacific on the Honolulu route. I only worked in first class – we had different uniforms to the rest of the crew. It was such a change for me staying in top hotels after local life.
What brought you to New Zealand?
A holiday where I met my husband. There was a lot of commuting before I moved to New Zealand to set up a family with him. We had two children.
Did that change your work life?
Definitely! I had a variety of roles in airlines here before helping my husband set up a side business that didn’t work out very well, and neither did the marriage. There were some tough times.
And Kelmarna helped you to build a new life?
I am so grateful to my daughter and her friend for pushing me into volunteering at Kelmarna Gardens even though I had never been a gardener. I started with odd jobs like harvesting and weeding.
And that led to cooking?
Yes - when I started cooking lunches for the volunteers, I felt a strong sense of belonging, and others loved what I made. I now cook lunches for corporate groups too. And I started experimenting and bringing pickles and chutneys that I had made at home – everyone was so positive about my work.
How did that turn into a business idea?
Again, my daughter and her friend encouraged me to turn my pickles and chutneys into a business. They pushed me to sign up for the Kitchen Project where I did a course learning all the things that a food entrepreneur needs to know when they are starting out.
What is the Kitchen Project?
It’s an Auckland Council initiative, run by the marvellous Connie Clarkson. They are responsible for many new food businesses finding their feet in Auckland. I was delighted to find many other Kitchen Project graduates selling at Grey Lynn Farmers Market.
How did you find out about Grey Lynn Farmers Market?
It really is all about who you know – Phillipa, from Kelmarna, knows Grey Lynn Farmers Market well and put a good word in for me.
What has the market been like for you?
The stallholders have been so welcoming and supportive. I feel like I have three families now – my daughter and her six-year old, the Kelmarna crew, and the stallholders at Grey Lynn. It’s lovely to be part of the community initiatives.
What do you sell at the market?
A range of seasonal pickles. My tamarind chutney has been a winner – I sold out at the annual Kelmarna seedling sale a few weeks ago. Grated apple kuchla and eggplant chutney are also very popular. I love watching people’s faces when they try my samples and are excited to take some home. I also love how people come back each week for more and tell me how they used it. One customer puts the tamarind chutney on roast lamb.
How did you come up with the name “Nae Nae’s pickles”?
As my grandson proudly told everyone at the seedling sale, it was his idea. Nae Nae is what he calls me and I wanted to show the family bond and the love I put into my cooking.
What do you do when you aren’t at the market, or volunteering at Kelmarna?
I love spending time with my grandson playing games and having sleep overs. And I’m keen of crafts as well – sewing and making beaded jewellery.
