#becauseofthisthingcalledloveandso

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my loved ones from the bottom of my heart for all their support, love and tireless patience with me and my crazy ideas.

My parents Jamuna and Francis, who are not only the roots of my heart project, but have also been my biggest fans since day 1, right up to the present day. They prepare every product with me and put up with my every manufacturing stress and whim. They connect me with family, friends and friends of friends in Sri Lanka and help me with every milestone. I am proud and grateful for their love, joy and all the knowledge they give me along the way about my Tamil roots, which are a big part of me - especially when it comes to food. Thank you Appa and Amma for everything you have left behind for us and offered us here. No words can describe the respect I have for most of your decisions. <3

Simon Mellnich, who is responsible for this wonderful corporate design that I am also so proud of. Every meta-level in this logo, which few understand at first glance, is a testament to how well it represents me and reflects my cross-cultural struggles and preferences. I love every color, variation and detail that has gone into it over the months since Anill has been around! When Appa saw the logo, he had tears in his eyes because he absolutely got it... that says a lot I think.... Thank you Simimaus for your ideas, the crazy beautiful artwork, your sense of aesthetics, your constructive criticism, watching out, and most of all your patience with me aaaaaall daaaaay loooooong.. <3

From the deepest part of my heart, my biggest thanks go to these three people! I would never have done it without you and I would never have enjoyed it so much! Thank you for always putting up with me #iykyk

All my close friends and all the rest of my family here and abroad, who have endured endless conversations for months where I could talk about nothing else (ongoing often) but Anill. They have tasted, craved, supported and re-cooked like professionals for years - often with a runny nose and squeaky ears because of the spiciness, but the second helping always came anyway. If they hadn't told me since I was a child how much they enjoyed our food too, I probably wouldn't have even had the idea of starting the project! Thanks to the constant support and encouragement to finally “just do it”, Anill exists.

Thank you Diana Akoto-Yip and Moritz Ridder for the wonderful pictures at the shoots for the products and recipes! I love the aesthetic you have created. I would never have managed to get it as cool as this!

Yuka Hamaguchi, you cutest mochi in Japan and favorite foodie! Thank you so much for your ideas, help, hours of recipe tying and cooking for the shoots! It's so much fun to ponder, “chat GPTs” and brainstorm with you while cooking and experimenting! Here's to many more days, moments and fun photos like this!

The wonderful ceramics in which I was allowed to photograph the recipes are by Isabel Hamm. It is very important to me to mention her here. Thank you for your open, kind nature, your trust and your direct permission for me to use your ceramics without us even having met.I love the simple shapes and the perfectly chosen colors in combination with the dishes. With the beautiful look of the ceramics, it was difficult to present the dishes equally :) So so beautiful!

Rolf Mütze, my boss in my actual job, affectionately known as “Scheff”, for many, many years. A new fan of Tamil cuisine just a few years ago, he has been my Monday-to-Friday grief box and supporter during the whole time Anill has been in existence and, like Simon, has always been at my side to advise and help with design since day 1. A thousand thanks to Scheff for your patience, our arguments (yes, we don't argue at all) and the crazy support at Anill and for almost 17 years now.You're a great guy, but you know that yourself :)I'm looking forward to becoming as Gandalf-like as you at some point, relaxed and calm in person.

And last but not least.
12 market days in 2024 and met so many awesome, lovely and interested people. So many products sold and fans of our cuisine gained.

Many of you come back because of curiosity about our products and for more supplies :)It's absolutely amazing!I would never have dreamed that this crazy idea would be so well received and that people would be so interested in our culture, in Sri Lanka (outside of the surf and yoga regions in the south) and in Jaffna and fall in love with our food like we have. I love it!I am so touched by all the lovely, heartwarming messages I've been getting since the first market!

No words can describe my immense gratitude and joy!And yet...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love, the support, the seeking, the word-spreading and most of all, for coming back! I look forward to the exciting journey with you, my little squirrels (*anill) and am so excited to see where else it takes us....

Lots of love going out!
#becausethereisloveandso