The food and beverage industry is certainly developing more and more here in Trinidad and Tobago with entrepreneurs popping up everywhere in this space. One such brand is Remy’s Kitchen, an intimate catering business. Owned by Rowena, it is a full service catering business that offers various cuisines. Rowena admits to expressing her creativity through her meals. “I run a catering business which right now I still can’t define as every week I introduce new items on the menu. I’d say it’s an eclectic menu as I do a variation of soups, buss up shut, pholourie, souse. A bit of everything. You get the gist.”
When it comes to choosing the name for her business, Rowena wanted a name with a legacy feeling. “I wanted the name to have a generational effect. Initially I was going to call it Rowena’s (my first name) kitchen, and then after vacillating between the two, and asking some friends, I decided to choose Remy’s Kitchen. My Mom’s last name is Remy and I truly believe it’s her answered prayers that have caused this business to flourish as it does.” What a great tribute to Rowen’s Mom.
Rowena’s story of how Remy’s Kitchen began is an inspiration. “I have been unemployed since December 2019, and having a slew of bills and responsibilities, I was desperately looking for work. I had sent out several job applications, and all eventually became closed doors. So, during Covid, I was venting to a close friend of mine about my purpose in life, and when I’m going to get a job, she then said “Rowe, relax, why don’t you go cook”, and I was a bit baffled because I was not feeling it. After that, I was drooling over a friend’s food on IG. She, a Trinidadian stuck in LA because of the closed borders. She said girl you’re in Trinidad, you have buss up shut, go make some! And so I did. My mom who has high standards when it comes to food, tasted it and loved it instantly. I did it twice, and I said “Mom, I’m gonna start a catering business with buss up shut and fry bakes”. Since then it has evolved, and here we are.” Rowena certainly took a negative situation and turned it into a positive one. She now does Remy’s Kitchen full time and is building her customer base and menu. “I have more or less have a consistent clientele and an ever evolving menu.”
When it comes to lessons learned along her journey to date, Rowena says her industry is ever-changing. “Catering is an ebb and flow, some days I can rest, and other days I’m working 24/7. I appreciate all the days the same.” And does she have any advice for new entrepreneurs out there? “Step out on faith. I know that’s something you hear, but it’s true, step out on faith. I never thought I’d ever be doing this, I have a BSc. Spanish, and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations. This was not in my plans. So just step out in faith.”
Rowena sees Remy’s Kitchen as catering to most palettes. “We are constantly introducing new items on our menu, there will always be something that attracts you to our dishes.”
Check out Remy’s Kitchen for an amazing array of menu items to choose from especially curry crab and dumpling, buss up shut, soups and more.
