How I Manage to Bring Together Foodpreneurs From Different Communities for Easy Global Market Access- Pamellah Oduor

PEMELLAH ODUOR brings together individuals who love cooking and experimenting with local, diverse dishes from different communities for easy global market access for pre-cooked local food. The members are those passionate about food, learning new and unique ways of cooking locally available foods which they pool and sell to local and international clients. Writes Silas Nyamweya

Please tell us about your brand and what makes it unique

My brand is Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals (LCKM) which brings together individuals from Kenya and all over the world making it an international community of those who love cooking and experimenting with dishes from different communities globally. Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals members embrace dishes from around the world tweaking the dishes to give a Kenyan touch. What makes it unique is that the members are passionate about food, learning new and unique ways of cooking locally available foods.

What inspired you into African foods business?

My love for cooking started at a very young age from my late mother’s kitchen. She loved to cook and entertain; I therefore picked the kitchen tricks from her. The love grew throughout my life and when I grew older, I started cooking at family gatherings and the appreciation from the guests made think this was something I could venture into for income. I therefore started my catering business cooking only over the weekends and during public holidays because I was employed as a banker.

When exactly did you start your business and how has the journey been so far?
It all started on 13th December 2013 as a side hustle, I struggled alot as I could not give the business all the attention it needed. By 15th September 2015 the group AKA community had grown to 78,000 members and I decided to quit the bank to concentrate on my cooking business. As the membership numbers of LCKM grew, so did my catering business as most of my customers came from here. It has been an amazing journey and in 2018 I was privileged to be awarded as one of the 46 Facebook Community Leaders globally. This gave the group international recognition and its place in the various social media platforms. Currently LCKM has a membership of 2.5m composed of men and women of all walks of life and all ages.

How did you get your first abroad client, and even the subsequent ones?
The client was a LCKM group member, having followed my consistent posting of what I do, the trust grew.

How do you ensure the items shipped abroad stay fresh for longer
Once the food is prepared and cooked under strict hygiene conditions, it properly packed and frozen.

Who are these clients from abroad seeking Kenyan foods? Does it mean they can’t get the same food items from where they are?

These are mainly Kenyans living in the diaspora or those travelling to visit their relatives and friends abroad. The foods may be available, but my clients have realized that the way in which my dishes are prepared is unique and the flavours are definitely rich. My prices are very competitive. We also have clients in the diaspora ordering food for their relatives and friends back home for special occasions.

How much does chapati shipped abroad cost, verses the cost of production and shipping?

We have not started shipping directly. Currently the orders are parcels accompanied by a trusted traveller sourced by the client.

How much do you make from this business in a good month?

Business fluctuates so much that we are not able to quantify per month, but each order varies between US$100 - $200

Any major challenge you could be facing?

Fluctuations on food prices in the local market alongside dollar fluctuations makes it difficult to accurately quote for orders

Your parting shot?

One must follow their passion and to be successful in online business one must be trustworthy, consistent, make follow-up and handle customer complaints immediately.

Social media platforms where potential users can reach you

Users, clients and fans normally reach us through our Facebook Handles, Pamellah Oduor and Spice Land. We are also on Instagram under Lets Cook With Pamke and on Tiktok: Lets Cook with Pam.