WHEN Savio Azaredo returned home from work hungry, little did he know that his rummage in the kitchen cupboards to find something to eat would set him on the road to running his own business.

Mr Azaredo, 43, a passionate curry fan, said: "I fancied a curry but did not want to go through all the preparation work.

CURRY LOVER: Savio Azaredo set up his own business after finding a spice mixture in his cupboard By On Demand Media
CURRY LOVER: Savio Azaredo set up his own business after finding a spice mixture in his cupboard
Pics By On Demand Media
CURRY LOVER: Savio Azaredo set up his own business after finding a spice mixture in his cupboard
Pics By On Demand Media

"I knew my mother-in-law was always sending little packages over from India and I discovered this spice mixture in a cupboard.

"All I needed to do was mix it with water and cook it with meat. The result was fantastic."

The mixture was produced by Indian company Parampara Food Products, well know in its home country but with little export sale.

Mr Azaredo's immediate response was to find out more about the company and set about bringing their products to this country.

So confident was he of success, he quit his job with a cosmetics company he had worked for since coming to the borough 18 years previously.

He established two companies, Curry Tree and the Purity Trading Company, from his home in Dalmeny Avenue, Norbury.

That was four years ago and over that time the companies have grown so much that the range of 14 different spice mixtures are on sale at 1,400 smaller outlets and gourmet shops across the country.

They are also big business in France, Germany and Ireland and online.

And despite the economic downturn, which has seen some of his outlet customers shut up shop, turnover for the companies has grown steadily to around £280,000 a year in total.

He said: "Producing a spice mixture from scratch is very time consuming, both in going around the shops to buy the ingredients and the actual preparation.

"A lot of people have said that simply using a mixture with water is cheating, but I say it is good cheating."

He added: "People tend to eat a lot of burger and chips here, but this is healthy food because the spices are gluten free and can be used with meat or vegetables to produce a quick meal and the quality is fabulous."

Mr Azaredo said the signs for his companies were good.

He explained: "I think now is the time to kick off again. When the economic climate is like this your business abilities are tested. I believe the next year will be beautiful."