Chief (Mrs) ldowu Arebuwa (JP), founder and director of Toyin Catering Service has reiterated her Venture's ability to deliver it's services anywhere in the country at anytime. The radiant and high grade veteran caterer made this declaration during an exclusive interview with our correspondent at her Okitipupa home-like Office. Though, based in Okitipupa and has a branch in Lagos, she has toured various parts of Nigeria- Port Harcourt, Abuja, lbanda, Akure, Lagos and a host of other places to cook and serve. "Commissioners, governors, Traditional rulers, senators and people of various classes across the country find delight in our services," she said.
As one of the leading full-time caterers in the Ondo State, Chief Arebuwa attributed her successes in the business to the grace of God. She, however, admitted that her stock of modern cooking and serving wares is among the best. A visit to her office or just an experience of the enduring taste of her tasty dishes is enough to convince all 'Doubting Thomased'.
THE JOURNEY IS MORE THAN 20 YEARS
Lasting success is like Rome which was not built in a day. This adequately tells the story of Chief Arebuwa's more than 20 years of overseeing the union of the spoon and the pot. The journey, she said, was rough and disappointing when she started. She deserted teaching profession for catering business in 1989 when poor remuneration was the hallmark of teachers experience. She dropped the chalk and picked up the spoon.
FROM "MUMMY'S KITCHEN" TO "TOYIN CATERING SERVICES"
Chief Arebuwa was not a novice in career cooking by the business. She had been with her mother who was a food-seller at the Okitipupa Old Motor Park (Old Garage) before the old woman died in 1984. When she took the baton in 1989, she called her own catering venture- "Mummy's Kitchen" in memory of her late mother. However, as a woman who loves to dance to current tunes, she later succumbed to the advice of her teeming customers and well-wishers to change the name of her business for it to wear the modern look of present time. She settled for Toyin Catering Services - name after her only daughter.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Counting her blessings in the business, she said, "l have been able to acquire all necessary modern cooking and serving wares, l have trained all my children up to university level and they are all graduates now. " I have built my own house and I have been able to send all my children abroad with this job. So, l have reason to thank God."
ADVICE TO COLLEAGUES
Concerned about the plight of many of her colleagues in the business, she hinted that lack of self - esteem is the bane of their success in the business. Many caterers lack self esteem. They don't have confidence in their handwork. You see them snooping around for who is going to throw the next party. That's not good. They don't have to stoop that low. They should allow customers to come to them. When they come to you they pay more," she said. As a way of providing a level-playing ground for everybody in the business she called on her colleagues to form an association.
YOU CAN SCHOOL AND CATER, JUST BE COMMITTED
When asked if it was possible to be schooling and be in the catering business, she responded in the affirmative. "You can be a student and a caterer at the same time. The business is open to all regardless of age and sex. In fact, l used to have some boys who were students and were working for me but are now on their own doing well in the business," she stressed.
In her advice to the youth, she said being committed and persistent is the key to success. She counselled that one should hold on to whatever one knows how to do because it would eventually pay off. In retrospect, she gave an anecdote of how she was receiving between N500 and N1000 for her service when she newly started the business.
TOYIN CATERING SERVICES GIANT STRIDE
Toyin Catering Services is indeed a giant in the catering business across Ondo State. It's stride is like that of an elephat which nobody can describe as a mere momentary passage (interpreted in Yoruba as - Ajanaku koja mo ri nkan firi). Innovation in acts and styles as demonstrated in the appearance of her tents in public functions and her dishes could be what explain why her battalion of customers keeps coming back. In fact, the demand for her complimentary cards by prospective customers is irresistible and the deluge of commendations she gets on the completion of her service is overwhelming.
You can definitely make your next party unforgettable by calling on Toyin Catering Services. They will serve you anywhere at anytime.
She can be reached on the following numbers: +234-806-222-8267, 808-093-4221.
