When you step into Tala, it’s like being transported back to a Sunday umu (earth oven) in Samoa. You can smell the charcoal smoke and see the “ulu o le laulau” (Head Table setting) and the “sefe” (Samoan cupboard) showing off the finest dishes, usually served to honored guests.
“Tala” means “stories” in Samoan, and this name captures the heart of the restaurant.
Onesemo is the first Samoan to have his business named ‘New Restaurant of the Year’ at the Cuisine Good Food Awards 2024.
The judges said Tala is “consistently outstanding,” and it won for “showing excellence in all areas of hospitality with a fresh new concept.”
“I want my restaurant to be different. Not just ‘Pacific’ but ‘Samoan,’” Onesemo says.
“Some people might like it, and some might not. But that’s fine with me.”
Tala opened in Parnell in November 2023 and offers dishes inspired by Onesemo’s childhood in Samoa. He dreams of going back to Samoa one day to open a restaurant focused on Samoan cuisine.
“In Samoa, we have lots of fast-food places and Italian restaurants, but you hardly ever see a fine-dining place for Samoan food.”
“There are many talented Samoan chefs cooking Italian food, but when it comes to Samoan dishes like palusami, we do it our own way.”
“We are natural cooks, and it’s important to take pride in that. If all Samoan chefs focused on our own food, we could fill that gap.”
Tala stands out for being authentically Samoan. One of the special features is the chef’s table, where guests can sit in front of the chef, watch the food being made, and get served directly by Onesemo and his team.
“In our culture, we live by the saying, ‘O le ala i le pule o le tautua’ (The way to leadership is through service). From the moment guests sit down, they experience our way of service.”
Another familiar sight at Tala is the “sefe,” where the best dishes are kept for special guests.
Onesemo trained as a chef in Samoa, then in Hawaii and Florida, before moving to New Zealand with his wife to open Tala.
Looking back at his journey, he says, “Winning this award shows that we’re on the right path. I’ve learned more from my mistakes than from success. Failure teaches you the most important lessons.”
(Adapted from the RNZ story)
