The business world involves several products, inputs, and raw materials supplied to consumers, customers, or clients.
Food is an essential basic need of every individual, Food gives us the much-required nutrient substances essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues and for the regulation of vital processes. This brings us to the introduction of the food business or food catering.
Food catering is preparing food and providing food services for clients at remote locations, such as hotels, restaurants, offices, concerts, and events.
The food business is taken as part of tourism, nations across the world regard food as one of the vital tourist attractions.
The profits are abundant to both local or small-scale entrepreneurs as well as companies at a touristic level, these include;
- Diverse culinary traditions
- Economic growth
- Job creation
- Export potential
- Social Impact
Several entrepreneurs have reached the gross margin across Africa in the food business such as Tseday Asrat, Kaldi’s Coffee from Ethiopia, Ebele Enunwa, Sundry Foods, and Sundry Markets from Nigeria, Monica Musonda, Java Foods from Zambia, these are just a few top food business individuals.
Malawi has several food catering services that are promoting economic growth and offering training, courses, and equipping interested individuals.
When walking across the streets you will be mesmerized by multiple food businesses like numerous restaurants, hotels, and food inns.
The emergence and the growth in catering services due to tourism are not the only factors, some include urbanization, investment and funding, Supply chain improvements, and export opportunities. Rise in agricultural production and technology adoption.
Recently the use of new technologies in food production has risen because of the quick and effective aspect of helping meet consumer preferences. In addition, the use of social media platforms in boosting marketing has made it easy to gain more profits and stimulated the food business.
Despite the potential profits, there are challenges in the food business industry at a tourism level such as the need for maximum capital, issues associated with seasonality, and risks from biosecurity breaches.
There are improvements in the food business in Africa in fostering tourism development such as:
- Culinary tourism
- Restaurants diversity
- Food tourism promotion
- Hospitality industry growth
- Cultural exchange
- Skills and training.
The food business industry has not just impacted the tourism sector but slot more and their agendas implemented the food industry about the digital age and the well-being of society.
In the wise words of James Beard, a renowned culinary expert that states food is our common ground, a universal experience, meaning the food business industry is a global service that shows the power of food in uniting people.
It is necessary to conduct thorough market research and consider, Local regulations if you are starting a food business or food catering service.
