Today we’d like to introduce you to Oluwabunmi Olatunji.
Hi Oluwabunmi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Pentho’s Kitchen was born out of a passion for serving others and sharing delicious food with the community. In 2019, I relocated to Memphis for work and joined my local church, where I quickly became involved with the youth group. One weekend, I hosted some of the youths at my house andwe had a wonderful time enjoying delicious home cooked meal. Everyone loved the food, and it became a topic of discussion after sunday service.
A few weeks later, one of the youths asked me if I could cater for his birthday party and my first response was NO! I had never cooked for so many people and I wasn’t really interested but my passion for service and making sure people have good food was ignited by that simple request and his persistence won me over. He saw something in me that I hadn’t seen myself – the potential to share my love for cooking with others. I poured my heart and soul into creating a memorable experience, and the party was a huge success. Word of mouth spread quickly, and soon, more people were asking for catering services.
As I look back, I realize that moment marked the beginning of Pentho’s Kitchen. His enthusiasm and encouragement sparked a fire within me, driving me to pursue my passion for service and good food. Today, I’m grateful for that persistence, which has led to the growth and success of Pentho’s Kitchen.
Through Pentho’s Kitchen, I’ve been able to serve others, share delicious food, and build meaningful connections. The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but the passion, God’s direction and persistence that started it all continue to fuel my endeavors. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Pentho’s Kitchen and how we can continue to serve and bring joy to our community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running Pentho’s Kitchen hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been juggling my day job and managing the kitchen. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure that every dish that goes out is of the highest quality. Despite the demands, I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to see my passion for African cuisine come to life.
Another challenge I’ve faced is finding people to help with cooking. The uniqueness of African dishes can make it difficult to find staff who are familiar with the recipes and techniques. As a result, I’ve often had to take on the bulk of the cooking myself. While it’s been a labor of love, I’m always on the lookout for talented individuals who share my passion for African cuisine.
Securing a storefront space has also been a challenge. It’s been a lengthy process, but I’m determined to find the perfect location to showcase Pentho’s Kitchen. Despite these obstacles, I’ve loved every step of this journey. The passion and dedication required to build Pentho’s Kitchen have been worth it, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
After a decade in the corporate world, I’ve developed a strong foundation in accounting and finance. With 10 years of experience in budgeting, quality assurance, journal entries, and account management, I’ve honed my skills in driving business forward. I truly enjoyed my time in the corporate sector, where I gained valuable expertise that has served me well. My experience taught me the importance of attention to detail, strategic planning, and effective management – skills that I’m now applying to my new venture.
I recently made a pivot into the culinary industry, driven by a new passion for sharing West African cuisine with my community. As the owner of Pentho’s Kitchen, my goal is simple: to put smiles on people’s faces through delicious and authentic dishes. By bringing African food to homes and events, I aim to keep our culture and traditions alive while introducing new flavors and experiences to those who may not be familiar with them.
With Pentho’s Kitchen, I’m committed to quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction. Every dish is carefully crafted to showcase the rich flavors and traditions of West African cuisine. From the selection of ingredients to the presentation of each meal, I’m dedicated to serving my community with love, passion, and the best of West African cuisine.
As I navigate this new journey, I’m excited to combine my corporate expertise with my culinary passion and I look forward to serving the community with the best of West African flavors.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The future of the culinary industry looks exciting! With people’s love for food and trying new flavors, the trend of cultural fusion cuisine is likely to continue. By infusing different ingredients and techniques from various cultures, chefs can create unique and delicious dishes that showcase the diversity of global cuisine.
This trend can also lead to Increased innovation and creativity in menus, greater appreciation and understanding of different cultures through food and more opportunities for chefs and food entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and creativity
The growth of the industry will indeed provide more job opportunities, not just in cooking, but also in food styling, food photography, food writing, and more. It’s an exciting time for foodies and culinary professionals alike!
Pricing:
- Snacks $4 – $15
- Lunch Items $15 – $30
- Dinner Items $25 – $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.penthoskitchen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pentho.kitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081981445850
