Sobhna’s Stall shares spice and stories at Fieldays
What started as a mother’s determination to provide for her family in a new country has grown into a business, dedicated to sharing authentic Indian flavour with Aotearoa.
For Sobhna Odedra, the journey began when she sought to find employment in her mid-fifties.
Despite early challenges, she quickly brought new flavours to the local farmers’ markets and her distinctive cuisines, condiments and snacks rapidly found a devoted following.
Now, alongside her daughter Nimisha Odedra, Sobhna’s Fieldays stall is introducing new customers to authentic Indian flavours.
Nimisha remembers how a growing interest in her mother’s home cooking and Indian heritage sparked new connections: “People started asking for authentic Indian dishes they couldn’t find elsewhere, which led her to develop curry pastes, spices, and pickles.”
The family business now specialises in products using traditional Gujarati recipes, including their signature lemon pickle which combines timeless sun-drying techniques with modern preservation technology.
Sobhna’s use of organic and local ingredients offers an alternative to the heavily commercialised versions many recognise, “I think it opens up what real Indian food is,” Nimisha said.
“There’s a perception in New Zealand that Indian food has to be really creamy, sugary and rich”.
However, her upbringing has taught her that “authentic Indian food is lighter and full of flavour”.
Now, in its second year at Fieldays, the stall has become a place of curiosity and steady growth, with visitors keen to learn about authentic Indian cooking and culture.
“It’s been really good,” Nimisha said. “People ask what we do and how they can use our products and it gives us the chance to educate them.”
For the Odedra family, education is one of the most powerful ways to break away from out-dated narratives.
“I think it’s just education,” she said. “We have to tell people what we do, why we do it and how our products are different from what they find in the supermarket.”
Their presence at New Zealand’s largest events also stands for something much larger than food.
“I think any place where you can go and share your culture helps us become more visible and promotes cultural diversity,” Nimisha said.
Their journey has not been easy. As women from a minority community, they have encountered discrimination and scepticism about their business.
“There’s always a perception of what you can do,” she said.
“When we first started, people thought it was just a hobby and that we weren’t going to take it far. We had to work harder to prove ourselves.”
Despite those obstacles, the family has stayed true to its values, refusing shortcuts in flavour or authenticity.
“The food my mum makes comes from her heart,” Nimisha said. “We just want people to know what real Indian food is like.”
At Fieldays, Sobhna’s stall offers more than food; they share a story of resilience, family and cultural pride.
Visitors are reminded that diversity is not only worth celebrating, but also best experienced by those who charitably share their traditions.
Business Website for Sobhnas: https://www.sobhnas.co.nz
Rael Satish and Brayden Bates are 1st year Communications students at Wintec School of Media Arts
