Catering business in hard times

…A perspective from Mary Oluwayomi Awotubo

As the CEO of Ebony_Elihanfoods & Ebonycakes Elihan and Catering, a renowned catering business in Nigeria, I’ve navigated the industry’s ups and downs for over a 4years. My name is Mary Oluwayomi Awotubo, and I am passionate about serving delicious, memorable, and healthy meals.

My Experiences

I’ve witnessed significant changes in the catering business, particularly with regard to food costs. Under the Jonathan administration, a bag of rice costs around ₦12,000. During Buhari’s tenure, it rose to ₦35,000, and now, under Tinubu’s leadership, it’s over ₦72,000. Similar price hikes have affected other essential ingredients.

Read also: BusinessDay to host first tourism conference with minister Lola Ade-John leading charge

Coping mechanisms

To stay in the industry, I’ve had to adapt. I’ve diversified my menu to include more affordable options, sourced ingredients from local farmers, and implemented cost-saving measures in my kitchen.

Advice to fellow caterers

Stay innovative, and don’t compromise on quality. Focus on excellent customer service and explore opportunities for growth.

Government support

I urge the government to provide subsidies for food items, offer training and loans to caterers, and create a supportive business environment.

Promoting my business

Ebony_Elihanfoods & Ebonycakes Elihan and Catering has catered to numerous high-profile events, earning us awards and recognition. Our commitment to quality and customer relationships and satisfaction has built a loyal client base.

Read also: Nigeria’s business activity drops to 8-months low on cost pressures

My training programmes

Ebonycakes Elihan and Catering has training over 1000 students for free so as to help the youth in acquiring a skill.

Ebonycakes Elihan and Catering also offer advanced training for both online and physical classes.

Additional information

The catering business is resilient, but we need support to thrive. I’m willing to collaborate with fellow caterers and stakeholders to drive industry growth.