About Sher
July 19, 2021 2026-03-10 18:33About Sher
... food that 'hits the spot'.
SADYA STORY
Hello, I’m Sherin – but some call me Sher! I love food, travel, family & ‘that’s what she said’ moments. I quit corporate to serve what I love to eat & what I was given in my childhood – food that hit the spot – Kerala food! Here’s my story…
Welcome to SADYA, home of Kerala style cooking with the South African lifestyle in mind.
The name “SADYA” means “banquet” in Malayalam, our dialect of the South Indian province of Kerala. For me, SADYA isn’t just about food; it’s about gathering friends and family around a table, creating memories, and sharing joy. I’ve always loved hosting, feeding, and bringing people together for good food, warm vibes & mindful eats.
SADYA began in 2019 when I found myself longing for the comforting flavors of my parents’ cooking – the kind of food that feels like a warm hug. Growing up, my parents cooked every meal, so by the time I got married in 2015, I barely knew my way around a kitchen! But with love as my guide (and the hope of winning my husband’s heart through his stomach), I began to cook. To my surprise, he started asking for my dishes instead of takeout, and I realized I might just have a knack for it!
I started sharing some of my South Indian curries & biriyanis with co-workers, who loved them. Over time, my passion for homestyle cooking blossomed, and SADYA grew with it. Every dish I make brings back cherished memories of family and home, filling me with joy that I now share with my customers. This journey truly gives me purpose.
At the end of 2022, I decided it was time to pursue SADYA full-time. I closed 15 years of corporate life to follow my dream of bringing authentic Kerala flavors to Cape Town. In December 2023, I had the privilege of traveling to Kerala to attend the Chavara Institute of Kochi’s Hotel Management course – an experience that deepened my love for South Indian cooking even more. Over the last 3 years, I’ve trained my team to serve exceptional tasting food & outstanding customer service – one that is not compromised. I couldn’t have grow SADYA without the help of my team, husband & kids support.
SADYA also now has marinated meats & sauces making it easy for South Africans to braai, meal prep; heat & eat (in the airfryer)!
SADYA is a celebration of my culture, belonging, a piece of my purpose, and a tribute to my parents, who taught me that love is the most important ingredient. As my Appa always says, every dish at SADYA must be made with love – it is.
SADYA offers event catering for up to 60 people and we have frozen readymade meals so you don’t have to spend 3+ hours making Kerala dishes from scratch.
Tastes of Kerala offers both fresh and frozen South Indian dishes, crafted with care to bring the essence of Kerala to your home. These meals are homely, convenient, and always hit the spot!
This year, I want to share with my community & with other people from around the world that feeling of joy & excitement that cooking brings to me! I’m thrilled to offer personal group cooking experiences in my home, your home kitchen as well as the Bosch Showroom Kitchen on Bree Street, Cape Town! Sign up & stay tuned for more details.
Food should be a feeling of home – we believe SADYA gives that feeling! Hope you can taste that feeling 🙂
Happy eating ya’ll!
Love Sher
SADYA CEO & Founder