Soulmates, business partners and passionate foodies. Umhlanga celebrity couple Kamisha (Kim) Naidoo and Pashi Reddy tell us about their journey towards opening the trendy, fusion tapas restaurant, Kali.
When Kim and Pashi met by chance at the Durban July 10 years ago, it quickly bloomed into what they say ultimately became a ‘soulmate relationship’ that has allowed them to manifest their dreams into reality.
The couple made it to the finals of reality television series My Kitchen Rules South Africa (MKRSA) in 2018 (even getting engaged on television!) and are now following their passion with Kali – their Umhlanga-based, pan-Asian fusion restaurant and bar, specialising in ‘tantric tapas and exotic cocktails’.
The couple’s food journey began 10 years ago, says Kim, who has a bachelor’s degree in educational and counselling psychology. “What started off with simple dates in our home kitchen soon became a shared passion and golden thread that tied us together,” she says.
The couple began selling food in food markets in Durban, always dreaming of one day opening a restaurant chain and food manufacturing company. Kali is the first step in this dream.
“Over the years we have worked on our skills, overcoming obstacles and challenges by pushing each other to be better and do better to achieve our goals.”
Both Pashi, who is the grandson of the late Dr JN Reddy, and Kim are passionate about upskilling local communities, youth and women through empowerment and skills development and are determined to help inspire people to find a way to follow and monetise their dreams.
Asked about their MKRSA experience, Kim says it was one of the greatest and most challenging adventures they have been on. “It allowed us to demonstrate what we love in front of the whole world, while teaching us to be vulnerable and grow as a couple as we overcame challenges and faced our own personal fears. We realised we are stronger and work better as a team. The highlight, not only of the show but of our lives so far, was getting engaged on the show. We always knew we wanted to get married, but MKRSA helped us realise that together we can overcome anything … and that our love is greater than any win.”
Opening Kali was the realisation of this long-time dream for the couple. The casual, pan-Asion fusion tapas restaurant pays homage to the strong women in both Kim and Pashi’s lives. “The restaurant is somewhat of a tribute to the powerful generation of women who came before us and it is a legacy we want to continue by feeding others and challenging old mindsets. We wanted to create a beautiful and inclusive space where people come together and share their similarities rather than their differences.”
Fun, bold, unapologetic and ‘for everyone’, the Kali experience is colourful, exciting and unexpected with wonderful flavour fusions and fragrances.
In terms of their roles in the business, Kim says she is the structured, organised and level-headed one, taking on the role of operations management to ensure objective are met and plans implemented. Pashi brings the creative element, developing menus and recipes, training staff and ensuring consistency and building the brand by creating a sound business model for future growth and expansion.
When they are not working, they spend time together and with their families and enjoy cooking together. “We are grateful for the simple things in life and enjoy finding adventures wherever we are and living in the moment.”
The secret to working together as a couple, they say, is being able to be vulnerable with each other and communicate – both when things are going well and when they aren’t.
“Celebrate the good days and remember that challenges are temporary but your relationship is forever.”
Kim and Pashi are excited to be getting married this year and hope to be able to expand not only their business but also their family in the near future.
Details: Kali Restaurant, Chartwell Centre, Chartwell Drive Umhlanga Rocks, [email protected], @kali_umhlanga
Text: Leah Shone
Photographs: Elana Schilz Photography
