Faces of the Farmers Market: Nidhi’s Cuisine

When I interviewed Nidhi Raina back in 2011, I asked her the secret to an amazing dish.

“Love and service,” was her answer.

(As if her treats could be any yummier, they also come with a great whopping of soul medicine too.)

If you like that as much as I did, you can officially Like Nidhi’s Cuisine on Facebook here.

Or drop by the Farmers Market tonight between 4pm and 7pm, and try some for yourself.

Nidhi of Nidhi’s Cuisine is today’s featured Face of the Farmers Market, in our ongoing series.

Who is she? What does she offer? Fine. Fresh. Flavorful. Organic, vegan and vegetarian cuisine showcasing Pemberton and B.C. grown produce through samosas, empanadas, flatbreads, chutneys, vegan cakes and crackers and much more. Inspired recipes using quality ingredients specially for Farmers Markets in the Sea to Sky Corridor and Vancouver.


nidhi's cuisine

If you’re hankering for organic, locally sourced vegetarian cuisine around Pemberton, you don’t have to look any further than Nidhi’s Cuisine. And thanks to Nidhi, you don’t have to go to Kashmir to enjoy Pemberton produce with an Iranian and Muslim twist. 

What are you most famous for?  Samosas, traditional and seasonal chutneys and these interesting swiss chard and spinach basil potato cakes that sell like hotcakes at the Whistler and Pemberton Markets.
When did you start Nidhi’s Cuisine? I started out with an invitation to join the 2006 St. David’s Christmas Bazaar in Pemberton.  I had met the Helmers in 2005 on a school trip to their farm and used their potatoes as the filling for the samosas. Pemberton potatoes seemed the natural choice and what better showcase than a samosa with its warm potato and vegetable filling?
I did not think of getting into cooking or the food business till 2008.  I stayed home working with my younger son with special needs who was born in 2004.  Mike & Tanya Richman who operated The Pony Espresso at the time were extremely kind and gave me a several opportunities to showcase Indian Cuisine at their restaurant.  When Ram joined daycare I baked part time and did these events at The Pony.   Pembertonians were generous in their praise and that spurred my entry into the Whistler Farmers Market in the summer of 2008.
 
And now, Nidhi is one of the Board of Directors of the Pemberton Farmers Market, a huge champion of local growers and makers, and an indispensable part of Pemby’s flavour mix. She was featured at the Pemberton Music Festival, and is also distributed through the Whistler Grocery Store and Alpine Cafe in Whistler. She uses local ingredients in all her fillings, working with producers from Helmers Organics, Across the Creek Organics, Ice Cap Organics, Rootdown Organics, North Arm Farm, Armpit Spring Orchards, and Camelback Harvest.
She’s also be at Helmers Farm this Slow Food Cycle.
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Published by Lisa Richardson

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