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It is hard to imagine two places more different than New Delhi and Snells Beach.
One has a population of around 34 million (one of the most densely populated cities on the planet), and is famous for its spice markets and religious monuments. Snells has a population of just over 3500, a nice beach and a supermarket.
But that’s exactly the contrast that attracted the new owners of Little & Local, Manoj (MJ) and Kaushalya (Kaushi) Surira.
“We liked the quiet, community feel of Snells and the fact that Auckland is just down the road,” MJ says.
Plus, it is warmer than Dunedin, where the couple were running a commercial cleaning business before their shift north.
The son of a chef, MJ has been cooking for most of his working life. After emigrating from India in 2012, he did a one-year Level 5 cookery course in Albany, and cheffed for three years at various establishments in Northland.
MJ and Kaushi are now keen to put down roots in Mahurangi, where their teenage son is attending college.
Since taking over Little & Local on December 1, they have revised both the wine and food menus to better reflect “summer”, introduced a weekly chef’s special and Happy Hour, and music nights are set to follow.
The couple says they’re keen for Little & Local to be a relaxed and welcoming venue for locals to meet, have a drink and/or a meal. And with an outdoor eating area, the venue is also dog friendly.
