AJ Sandhu
Indy Dhadda
Five Rivers Meat Company: East 'Meats' West Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos submitted
In these crazy times, we need more good news stories, and this is one of them. This is the story of AJ Sandhu and Indy Dhadda, friends and business partners whose combined energy and enthusiasm could launch a rocket into space. In June they came up with a business plan to form Five Rivers Meat Company, Steveston’s newest butcher shop with an exciting twist. It all began with a conversation about meat. They originally connected through their love of food and common British interests. Both men are of Indian descent and were finding it difficult to source quality marinated meats that met their foodie standards and did not require a drive to Surrey. Indian food has always been popular in England, but through the years it has crossed over into 26
the mainstream. Indy says, “Brits love it, it’s huge. They have taken it to such a high level and have upped the game.” When Indy arrived in Canada he looked for the same calibre of Indian butcher shop but could not find it, so he and AJ decided to bring a little of it here. Indy was born in the United Kingdom. Four years ago he got married and moved to Richmond. AJ was also born in the U.K. but has lived the majority of his life in Richmond; he and his family have close ties within the community. His three sons were involved in minor sports in Richmond and AJ managed sports teams locally. The Sandhu family lives near Steveston and has always had aspirations of opening a business in the village.
StevestonInsider.com
October - November 2020
