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Spotlight on - Flavours of Jamrock

Updated: May 10



Flavours of Jamrock is all about partnership. Owned by Don and Rosemarie Rowe, the couple met 15 years ago and have always seen themselves working together. But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that this creative pair decided to try and make their business dreams come true. Rosemarie takes up the story.


"We both ended up having to leave our jobs due to long term health issues, and then during lockdown we found ourselves unemployed and unable to claim Universal Credit. We’ve always loved cooking and entertaining together, and friends have always said that our food tastes amazing, so we decided to focus on what we know best and cook up some delicious homemade Jamaican and Caribbean dishes with a view to launching a food business. In addition, Don wanted to create a range of freshly prepared juices.”


“When my son moved out, we decided to make the spare room into a work area. Don (who originally trained as a carpenter) did everything himself and we fitted the place out with kitchen equipment, fridges and juicers, and started developing our menu. Our first pop up was in Leeds, where we hit on the idea of giving away free samples to tempt people to try our food. Before we knew it, we had a crowd! People loved it, and we soon had a queue of people wanting our street food.”


 

Having nailed the popup scene, Don and Rosemarie decided they needed some extra business support and enrolled together on GCDA’s FREE Business Start Up course earlier this year.  “The training was brilliant,” says Don. “I’d highly recommend it. It was so informative, and Claire broke everything down into easily digestible chunks. The level was just right and if we weren’t sure about anything, Claire would always get back to us and go over something again. She treated everyone the same and used all of her lived experience to help other people. We’d never really thought about our business structure before, but now we’ve got a clear plan as well as a legal framework and a marketing strategy. Our confidence has really grown. I’m ready for more - and I’m booked on GCDA’s FREE web design for business course next!”

 

Don and Rosemarie have just bought their first gazebo and will be launching Flavours of Jamrock locally on Wednesday 15th May where GCDA has found them a spot for their street food at the daily Dial Arch Square Market in Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. The company has signed up to the Good Food in Greenwich Hospitality Charter and the Healthier Catering Commitment, which helps ensure high standards, good food and best practice.


“From Wednesday May 15th (and on every Wednesday afterwards) we'll be at Dial Arch from 12midday until our food runs out! Our menu will change every week,” says Rosemarie. “We’re planning to have a choice of homecooked meat and fish dishes and a couple of veggie options. They’ll all be given a unique flavour twist with our wonderful range of secret sauces and pickles. Alongside, we’ll also be selling our fresh juices and cakes, so you can buy an entire meal from us if you want to.”


As for the future, it’s looking bright. “We’d had enough of working for other people,” reflects Rosemarie, “and it’s just great to be able to make our own decisions and take things at own pace. We’re heading towards our early sixties, and we feel that this is our last chance to do what we really want and build a legacy for our children and grandchildren. We hope to be able to employ people in the future, and Don would love to see his juice range snapped up by a supermarket!”


It just goes to show that it’s never too late to turn your business dreams into reality. We wish Don and Rosemarie all the best and we know that their passion and energy pays off. If you’d like to contact Flavours of Jamrock, please check out their details below. They’re the perfect duo to cook up a storm for all your catering needs or private events.



And if you’ve been inspired by their story, please check out GCDA’s range of FREE business courses, where you’ll find our highly experienced and professional trainers able to support you on your business journey.


Tel: 07892899077

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