eKourier Jan 2020

WHO’S WHO

10 QUESTIONS... With Varsha Samji - Assistant Manager Pymble NSW

me to USA, Spain, France and my latest travel was a trip to Italy covering major tourist sites like Rome, Milan, Assisi, Ostuni, Pompei, Sorrento, Florence, Venice, Capri, Verona, Bolzano, Genoa, Cinque Terre and Lake Maggiore. This Italy trip was the most memorable one I would say. Tell us about your love of cooking and published recipe book? I think I got my passion for cooking from my mum. I published my first cookbook just to share recipes with my relatives and friends as they constantly ask me for recipes for the food I’ve cooked them. A hobby of collecting simple vegetarian recipes became a passion and led to the birth of my cookbook which I named “Recipes from My home Kitchen”. The first book was published in 2005. I then decided to rewrite the book in 2008, adding in new dishes and improving the structure while making the recipes easier to follow. What is your favourite pass time? That would be relaxing and having my favourite cup of Chai/Tea and listening to Hindi music. I love to try new restau- rants and enjoy the company of my friends going out for a meal. I love to entertain too, so drop by for a catch up! To sum up Kennards in one word would be? FANTASTIC! It’s really hard to describe it in one word. The journey here has been excellent. I have learnt a lot at Kennards. I can’t thank everyone here enough for making me feel welcome.

Husband Suresh, Daughter Sanjana and Varsha in Venice

my coming to work a delight and he is someone I look up to.

How long have you been with the Kennards Team? I have been safely stored away at Kennards since September 2014. Have you always been placed at Pymble KSS? I was originally recruited for Pymble but started at Chatswood while waiting for the centre to open. Worked with Steve Jansen, Eric and Flex in the beginning. Managed to get some experience at Brookvale for six days before opening day at Pymble. Then in March last year had the opportunity to work with Terry at Artarmon for six months and then returned home to Pymble. What did you do before KSS? I had quit my last job as a Collection Officer and decided to be a full-time mum to my daughter for 16 years. It took me up to two years of searching after that to finally find employment and I am very grateful that Kennards hired me. What inspires you about working for Kennards? I enjoy doing a variety of jobs here and my opinion matters. There is never a dull moment. A lot of customers are very pleasant and always stop by for a quick chat. It makes my day when I sign up a brand new customer or complete a sale of merchandise. Working with Steve has been wonderful. I enjoy our morning coffee, banter and discuss all issues at hand with ease. Steve has made

Have you always lived in Australia? My family and I are originally from Malaysia. I was born and raised in a small state called Malacca. It’s a place full of history since Malaysia (formerly known as Malaya) was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese. We moved to Sydney in June 2007. Tell us about your family? I come from a small family. I have two older brothers and I am the youngest and only girl in the family. I lost my dad when I was 21 and my mum last year in June. Met my husband in Kuala Lumpur where I worked. He is an Engineer by profession and working as a Regional Manager for a power business in Thailand. We are blessed with a daughter Sanjana who is

now 20 and currently pursuing a Biomedical Science major at UTS. We hear you are an avid traveller, where have you visited? Well I have been to different parts of India, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kerala and Ladakh. I also travelled around South East Asia; Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia. Travelling to the west took

2 Kennards Kourier Jan 2020