edmonton stories coverd new asian village

http://www.edmontonstories.ca/story/new-asian-village

sonia and Ramesh Devangodi have, in Ramesh's words, "a love marriage". They met when he came to Edmonton to work as a chef in her father's restaurant, New Asian Village. Sonia picked him up at the airport, and it was love at first sight. For Ramesh, who left his home country of India to come to Winnipeg 10 years ago and then moved to Edmonton for the New Asian Village job, it was the right time to get married. Two years after he landed here, they tied the knot.

Their dream was to open their own restaurant. Sitting in their West Edmonton New Asian Village, Ramesh proudly says, "We started from scratch. This one used to be a bakery before." Sonia's 2 sisters each run a New Asian Village too, and Sonia and Ramesh recently opened their second one on Edmonton's North side. There are 4 locations now, all run by the sisters, and a 5th one opening soon in Sherwood Park. Explains Sonia, "People are fascinated by the story, but it's hard work. We each work really hard." The family meets every 2 months or so to discuss their restaurants. "We all sit down, have our paper, pens, and my dad gives us the ... rules and regulations. If you’re running a New Asian Village this is my expectations, and if you guys can’t meet them, get rid of the name, take the name down." Sonia smiles, "He's hardcore." She adds, "I think we've learned a lot from my dad."