Enterprising entrepreneur aspires to open her own home-based eatery to tantalise the taste buds of all

February 8, 2021

GxMedia
4 years ago
0

We all love the aroma of food and the excitement it gives the digestive system when one dips into a delicious meal. But 28-year-old Gabreila Patram hopes to provide her customers with a meal that tastes like a good home-cooked meal.

Founder of JP’s Creole Delights, Gabreila Patram

Gabreila, popularly known as “Gabby,” was born on the 11th April 1992 at the Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital. She grew up in Republic Street, Georgetown after which, she and her family moved to Thomas Street, Kitty.

From a tender age, Gabreila said that her family had always instilled in her and her brother that they need to have a good and sound education in order to have a meaningful life.

My childhood was pretty awesome, to be honest. My brother and I grew up in a very loving home with both parents who ensured we had everything we needed and wanted. However, the wants aspect was based on how well we did in school, staying out of trouble, completing our chores, etc.

She began her academic pursuit at Saint Gabriel’s Primary School and then Mae’s Secondary School. She then hopped over to the University of Guyana, where she pursued a Diploma in Communications and is also a holder of certificates in Human Resource Management and Digital Media and Marketing Principles.

I am in the media fraternity as a Communications/Digital Media Officer, and since high school, I have always wanted to be a Journalist, and I have in my career that I love. I have had the privilege to interview a number of Ministers during my eight years in the media and covering numerous events. One that I always remember is being able to provide coverage of the State Visit by Ghanaian President.

According to Gabby, she was always advised to “think about something and start it up” since it takes one small step. But the mother of a 2-year-old boy confessed that she always kept pushing it to the back of her mind. However, when COVID-19 landed on Guyana shores in March of last year, some of Gabby’s family jobs were affected.

“We are always looking for extra money and for persons that know me, know that I like to eat. I am a lover of street food. I am surrounded by women who can cook like really “thrown it down with the pot,” my mum, my aunts, and cousin, they just bring food alive.”
She added, “One night, it came to mind, and I said to myself, ‘ God help me think of something to do so that all my family can “benefit,” and then the ideas started to flow. I have a cousin who makes delicious puri and roti, an aunt who can cook anything, especially cook-up, my mum who makes tasty pholourie and curries, and I was like, hey “it has been in front of me all the time.”

On the 16th of October, 2020, Gabby took a leap of faith and launched her business under the name “JP’s Creole Delights,” One Thousand Flavors in One Place.

JP’s Creole Delights caters for all events – birthdays, weddings, parties, office meetings, or even if you just want to treat your staff to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

“I sat at home one night and set up the Facebook and Instagram page. My initial Logo was done by a friend Dennis Reis, but then another friend (Alanzo Scipio from Kingdom Graphics) messaged me a night and said, “Hey, use this Logo instead, because I like it and I am happy for you,” and that took care of the Logo story.”
She continued, “All my other graphics are being done by Dennis Reis, and again it’s God because those were gifts from my friends. God has been really good to me and this business, “I cannot lie.” It took off with a bang and is still growing strong, especially with the chips – plantain, chicken foot, mithai, cassava, and sweet potatoes.”

The young businesswoman revealed that while she was putting together her business concept, her main goal was to ensure that everyone who eats her food gets that “pure home cook feeling.”

Gabby said that the response has “been great,” especially from her friends, who have been continually promoting her small business.

“In this type of business, you always want more customers, so if I were to state one of our major challenges at this moment, it would be for more people to become our clients. Our service is unique in the sense that we are always homey, and when it comes to our prices, we are very flexible depending on your amount, etc.”