Irene Emmanuel is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Reeny’s Taste and Spice, a fast growing catering and events company in Ejigbo. She also studied Education in Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education. She narrates to JOY NGWOLO how she found solace in Catering and Events Planning after dropping her job as a teacher. Excepts!
Tell us about Reeny’s Taste and Spice
Basically, what we do is catering but sometimes we provide event management services as well. We cater for events like birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries and all sorts of occasions. We prepare continental and intercontinental dishes, snacks, small chops, cocktails and we also provide home delivery services for working class people and mothers too busy to cook.
What led you to set up this store?
It has always been a passion for me. Back then, I would attend some events and wish they had called me to prepare their food for them or plan their events. I used to be a teacher but I have always wanted something better for my life. I tried to get a more lucrative teaching job but it didn’t work out. So, I began to search within me and God made me realise that he had deposited a lot of gifts in me, one of which is catering. Ever since I was a child, I have always loved cooking and trying out new things. Sometimes, I would even go on the internet to research for latest designs and recipes for cooking. There are times that I need ideas for cooking or decorations and when I sleep over it, somehow God reveals to me some ideas and it always comes out well at the end. Also, I have always been a creative person, apart from drawing, I also like to decorate houses. I started decorating my house and when my friends saw what I was doing, they invited me to decorate their houses for them. Also, in church, I was always called upon to do the decorations. I went for further training in Catering and decorations after which I used my skills to start up a business and that’s how Reeny’s Taste and Spice came about.
What stands you out?
We try to offer our customers’ a home away from home experience. Our meals also taste and feel like home-made food. Our packaging is also different, we package our foods in an attractive way that appeals to our customers, we also ensure that our food is produced under hygienic conditions.
What are your most memorable moments on this job?
All my moments are memorable because I love what I do. There was a time I prepared party food for someone. At first, I was not certain of how the outcome was going to be because the materials came in late but eventually it turned out so well, the client was very pleased with the service and we got a lot of referrals from people both near and far, it was very encouraging.
What are your most challenging moments on the job?
It could be very stressful and time-consuming. Sometimes, we sleep as late as 4:00 a.m. and still have to wake up early to deliver products to our clients. We always try to keep our words. When we give a time for delivery, we always try to stick with it. Sometimes, even after the stress, some clients don’t pay you what you are worth. It could be very stressful but it is my passion that keeps me going.
You said it is time-consuming, does it affect your family in any way?
Sometimes it does affect my family especially during the festive season, I may be so busy cooking for others that I may not be able to attend to my family but I try to strike a balance. And then, my husband is very supportive, he helps me to get some of our tasks done and also take care of the children whenever I am engaged.
What does it take to be a caterer or an event planner?
You must have passion for the work because if you think about the stress involved, you may feel discouraged especially when some people want you to give them the best service at a low price. You must also be a hygiene conscious, people are careful with what they eat and how it is prepared.
What is your assessment of the hospitality industry in Nigeria?
I think there is a lot of improvement, people are becoming more creative with designs especially when it comes to cake decorations, you can now design cakes in form of objects like aeroplanes, t-shirts, make-up sets and so on. Although, the cost of materials is increasing by the day, especially flour which is the basic material for baking but we do not reduce the quality of our products because we want to manage money. You never know who could be eating your food and that person could be the link to your next big job. You must maintain the quality of your services, if you are to keep your customers.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a caterer or an event planner?
You must draw your plans and make efforts to execute them. You must not have all the money in the world before you can start up your business. When I first started, I did not have all the equipment I needed, I had to rent those big adogan pots and spoons. But now, I have a couple of equipment that I own personally.
What is your philosophy for running your business?
I aim to meet people’s needs because when people’s needs are met everyone is happy. since I meet people’s needs, I receive more referrals and patronage.
