The CEO of Tammaz Kitchen shared her journey into the food business on Business Link with DJ Nyaami.
She recalled how her passion for cooking started when her mother turned 70 and needed catering services. Instead of hiring someone, she prepared the food herself and sent it to the UK. Later, during a trip to London, she cooked for her grandmother, which further ignited her passion for cooking. Upon returning to Ghana, she decided to turn her love for food into a business.
Initially, she was a fashion designer, but after giving birth to her second child, she lacked the strength to continue sewing. Staying idle at home didn’t sit well with her, so she started selling food. Her husband supported her with GHC 3,000 to start the business, and since then, she has never looked back.
She explained that she didn’t settle in the UK because her husband preferred to stay in Ghana. She frequently visited the UK to see her mother, but one day, she prayed for guidance, and God directed her toward the food business. Even though there were already other food vendors in her area, she decided to take the risk. Now, she has been in the food business for 18 years.
Starting Tammaz Kitchen was not easy. On the first day, she and her team had to go shop to shop, encouraging people to come and eat. Some discouraged her, but others supported her. She held onto her faith and prayed for God’s protection over her business. Her sister-in-law was her first customer, and the first sale she made was GHC 8, which she still keeps as a reminder of how far she has come.
In the early days, she even gave out free food to attract customers and build loyalty. However, her husband reminded her that if she lost the GHC 3,000 investment, she would have to pay him back. She had no resources—not even plates—so she traveled to Kenya to buy essentials for the business.
Her husband, who was a clearing agent, also faced financial struggles. He had given someone money for duty clearance, so he warned that if she failed in the business, they would both suffer. Despite all these challenges, they managed to turn the initial GHC 3,000 investment into a thriving business.
Running Tammaz Kitchen has not been without sacrifices. Sometimes, she comes home late from work, only to find that most of her workers have resigned without notice. Some don’t even answer their phones when she calls. She has faced several difficulties, including selling leftover food overnight to avoid waste.
She believes that if one has true love for their business, they will persevere even when employees leave unexpectedly. Many people assume business owners are rich, but they don’t see the sacrifices and struggles behind the scenes. Despite these challenges, Tammaz Kitchen has provided employment for many, and she hopes that if more businesses could hire workers, unemployment rates would decrease significantly.
She finds joy in seeing people succeed, especially professionals like doctors and lawyers. Every morning, she prays and asks God to help her do great things. However, she believes many young people today lack direction and are unwilling to work hard for their success.
Over the past 18 years, she has helped many people through her business. Her firstborn, who was only seven years old when she started Tammaz Kitchen, has now completed university, and her second child is also in school. She continues to cook for high-profile clients and caters for events such as weddings and naming ceremonies.
Reflecting on her upbringing, she initially thought her grandmother didn’t like her, but she now appreciates the training she received. She believes anyone can start small and grow their business with determination and consistency.
Having lived abroad, she acknowledges that life outside Ghana is not as easy as people think. The weather alone can be unbearable, making it difficult for some people to cope.
She also shared her concerns about young workers today. When she advises them on their lifestyle choices, some take offense and resign. Additionally, some workers misunderstand customer friendliness as romantic interest, leading to complications. Many see food service as a low-status job, but in reality, it requires skill and dedication.
She called on the government to do more for the youth, as many seek shortcuts to success and later regret their decisions. When they realize their mistakes, they often return asking for help.
Tammaz Kitchen is located opposite SIC in Tema Community 2. The restaurant continues to serve delicious meals and remains committed to quality food service.
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