Starting from humble beginnings, Phetmani (Mani) was fortunate to grow up in the heart of South Auckland, Mangere, in a family of two cultures, Samoan and Laos. Mani’s maternal grandparents, Lauvao Iumai & Tautiaga Tautaiolefua played a large part in her upbringing, where she grew up alongside her siblings and cousins. A huge part of her Samoan upbringing and culture was of course, the food! “We held a lot of gatherings at our family home and it was always about the food. I watched my grandpa and the boys prepare countless umu’s in our backyard, done the traditional way.”

Mani’s Laos roots come from her father, who is a fantastic cook. “I got to watch him make his traditional Laos dishes, which were some of my best childhood memories.” Growing up in this environment sparked Mani’s love and passion for food and the inspiration for her business, Tau-Louang Sisters.

Watching her parents and grandparents work 9-5 jobs to make ends meet, Mani was inspired by their work ethic, but realised she wanted to do things in a different way. Having a family of her own pushed her to get out of her comfort zone and start her own business allowing her to pursue her passion and stay present as a Mum to her three kids.

Mani and her younger sister Kaylah started their business, Tau-Louang Sisters together, built on three important pillars of their lives, family, food, and culture. Tau-Louang Sisters create grazing boxes, platters and tables with a twist of their creativity and culture. Their menu incorporates traditional family favourites but with a modern twist, adapting and customising to suit their customer needs.

After living in Brisbane for 6 years, Mani returned to Auckland and decided to focus on creating and growing her business. She came across The Kitchen Project and applied, hoping to get some support with how to create a business. “The Kitchen Project has definitely been a game changer, not only has it given us the opportunity to build a sustainable business, but they have also been the backbone in our journey. They have pushed us to believe in ourselves and the visions we have for our small business. This has also allowed me to grow more as an individual. It has taken me out of my comfort zone and I’m very thankful to Sreshta and the team at The Kitchen Project. One of the many highlights was being able to meet other people and be able to share our journey along the way.”

In the future, Mani hopes to have a sustainable catering business which provides full-time work for her sisters and herself. You can find out more on Tau-Louang Sisters on Facebook or Instagram, or order via their website for your next event!