Our Story

Founded in 2026 by cousins Marianne & Ema, Veitavaleni Co. was born from a desire to see Fijian, Indigenous Australian and Pacific foods represented with pride and honour.

Veitavaleni (pronounced vey-tah-vah-leh-nee) is an iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) word that describes a specific type of kinship and traditional cousin relationship. It broadly translates to cross-cousins; who share a special relationship built on warmth, laughter, respect and hospitality.

Marianne is of Fijian and Australian descent and Ema is of Fijian, Aboriginal and Afghan descent. They saw how rarely Aboriginal and Pacific Islander (Australasian) cuisine appeared in the catering world. They set out to change that by showcasing Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander dishes in an elevated, modern way.

With Veitavaleni every event is treated as a sacred opportunity to share their heritage, offering handcrafted fusion dishes that feel like home while celebrating the richness of their shared history; honoring culture, community, and country.

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