High hopes for Hatfield’s spice girl
Gouri Kubair with some of her Holy Lama products - Credit: Archant
A Hatfield businesswoman who imports spice products from India is one of just five who pitched to an expert panel, competing for the title of Britain’s Next Top Supplier.
Mother-of-two Gouri Kubair, of Oaklands Wood, who imports for her family business Holy Lama, demonstrated her products for Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of online supermarket Ocado, and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge last month.
Although the winner of the competition has not yet been announced, she is hopeful Ocado, which is based on the Hatfield Business Park, will list her as a regular supplier regardless.
Mrs Kubair, a qualified accountant who left Deloitte in St Albans to concentrate on her business, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “I was extremely nervous.
“It was a bit intimidating. But Tom Kerridge [a Michelin-starred chef] was impressed with the quality of our saffron.
You may also want to watch:
“That was the biggest compliment ever. He really knows his stuff.”
The 34-year-old has been importing natural body care products from the factory in the south-western state of Kerala since 2011, but expanded into concentrated spice extracts in October, selling at fairs and markets.
Most Read
- 1 Police attend funeral as residents voice concerns about 'social distancing'
- 2 COVID-19: Welwyn Hatfield tops Hertfordshire for cases per 100,000
- 3 Mum-of-four loses six stone in just over a year after being unable to play with her youngest child
- 4 More than 20 arrested following major Welwyn Hatfield county lines drugs operation
- 5 Coroner rules Joy Morgan death 'unlawful killing' but finds no cause at inquest
- 6 Golf club has dozens of buggy batteries stolen in one day
- 7 Man sentenced to three years in prison for breaking girlfriend's jaw
- 8 'Horrific' abuser who 'showed no remorse' sentenced
- 9 COVID-19 outbreaks now in half of all Herts care homes
- 10 Bank becomes latest to be lost from town centre
Oil-based eextracts have several advantages over powdered spices, including a longer life, less cooking time, and suitability for flavouring drinks, chocolate, or ice cream.
Mrs Kubair continued: “I am very excited.
“If we get listed, I will have to take on someone to help me, and it will mean a better standard of living for all our people.”
She highlighted the Kerala factory’s Fairtrade accreditation, which assured decent working conditions and pay for its 25 full-time employees.
The products can be ordered at www.holylama.co.uk
