Anila’s Authentic Sauces

…By Tony Green.

04.04.2005 / News & Mail

When Anila Vaghela was made redundant five years ago, she made the enviable decision to abandon the drudgery of working in an office.

With the support of her own business selling the curry sauces she had already acquired something of a reputation at food fairs and among colleagues. Her venture was an instant hit as she crammed 23 different spices to create the perfect curry in a jar.

The product suits modern lifestyles, enabling young professionals and busy mums to prepare an authentic Indian meal in half an hour.

Today there are 14 products, including chutneys and pickles on sale in delicatessens farm shops, farmers’ markets and convenience stores throughout the area, all made with love and loved by those who use them.

They were also loved by the discerning gourmet judges who had to sample thousands of competitors’ entries in this year’s Great Taste Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers.

Anila was presented with two bronze awards for her Spicy Korma curry and Sweet Mango chutney.

Now her enterprise is about to enter a new phase with her sauces selling outside of the South East. When the bullring reopened in Birmingham at the beginning of the month, the new house of Fraser Department Store included Anila’s Authentic Sauces in the Food Hall.

It’s the second department store to stock the Walton women’s wares. Fortnum & Mason customers can also buy the range of curry sauces, chutneys and pickles and there’s every chance that her Indian empire could expand to other house of Fraser Food Halsl around the country.

Despite only moving out of her kitchen and into a small industrial unit a year ago, Anila has now moved again to bigger premises.

“I needed somewhere to produce in bigger quantities,” she said. “Where we were was just a step up from home. It really has to be a different class. There’s regulations and it’s a lot more involved. It gave me a good experience on how to run a place,” she said.

Taking on staff may be on the cards as part of the expansion. “The Family can’t keep helping. My daughter is at university and my husband has got his own job” She explained.

Anila has also invested in new colour labels for her jars dispensing with the old black and white ones. “They look great up on the shelves,” she said.

All of the developments have involved a sizeable outlay. “We are doing quite well,” said Anila. “I can’t see much profit this year but we are hoping it’s an investment for the future.”

Despite laying the foundation, Anila said that she wouldn’t compromise on the quality of her products.

“I want to keep it like home-made and hand-made at the quality end of the market,” she said. “I’m not sure I would like to go into supermarkets and end up like Pataks or the supermarket brands. It’s like my baby – I don’t want it to grow up. I’m trying to perfect these and keep them going.”

Next on the agenda is a website featuring information about the products on sale and where you can buy them.

Anila’s business has evolved through her customers.

“They give me ideas and I play with ingredients. I love food and variety and love to experiment with different regional tastes,” she said.