A new restaurant was officially opened yesterday at Fugalei, opposite the produce market.
Noralani’s Gourmet Teriaki and Catering is owned by Mulimai and Tomai Manoa. The family restaurant has links back to Tomai’s late greatgrandfather, Ma Wong, who had a similar business back in the 1980s.
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This time around, the Manoas have named the restaurant after their granddaughter, Noralani.
“It was a dream for me and my husband to continue the legacy of my great-grandfather,” said Tomai.
“This work started in December and we have just opened it in April, because there were some challenges that we had to face in trying to build.
“But I guess there is no business in this world without any challenges.”
Tomai is an accountant by profession but she has always loved cooking and baking.
“I guess I have always had it in me,” she said.
“I never took any cooking classes so I guess it was talent that was passed down to us from our greatgrandfather.
Even all my aunties and siblings, we all share the very same talent.
Yesterday’s opening, according to Tomai, is a dream come true.
“I started this because I want to teach my two girls as well on how to be independent, how to stand on their own two feet, to look after their families,” she said.
“Not only that but I also wanted to help the people of Samoa to get jobs because I know that a lot of our people are looking for any kinds of jobs so that was another reason for me to put this restaurant up.”
Asked about the challenges they have had to deal with so far, she said the most common challenge involves finances.
“Another big challenge was when my husband was sick for three months. I didn’t know what to do because there was the business and then there were my children and my husband. I almost gave up.
“However, with the support from my loved ones and especially from the Lord, I was able to continue and now we have made it.”
So what is she hoping for in the future? “Well if this becomes successful, then my dream for the future is to have a big cuisine and Five Star Cuisine in Samoa and I hope to call it Ma Wong’s Cuisine in honor of my great-grandfather.”
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