I Believe Cooking Is A Passion- Ummulkhair Bashir Muhammad

Ummulkhair Bashir Muhammad is one of the trio taking MBEEY's Apparels and Catering Service to great heights in Kaduna state. We spoke to her about one aspect of the business which she is passionate about cooking and baking.

TMG> Tell us about yourself and your business.

Ummulkhair> I'm from Niger State and graduated from the university of Maiduguri with BSC HONS Business(Education). I also have a Computer Diploma and certificate in catering services and cake decoration from Dee Bakers Catering Service and Cake Decoration School in Kaduna. Our company, MBEEY's Apparel and Catering Service was
founded by myself and my two sisters in Kaduna where we live. I handle the catering service and cake decoration Ummulkhair Bashir Muhammad, while they handle the garment making part.

TMG> Why did you choose to go into food business instead of using your degree to pursue a career in marketing or administration?

Ummulkhair> I decided to become a caterer because that is what I'm good at. I've loved cooking and baking right from my childhood, so you can say I've been cooking all my life. I decided to go to an advanced school after my degree to acquire more knowledge. I am still learning and plan on enrolling into more schools to learn because we introduce 2 new things into the market all the time.

TMG> What's your favorite food to cook? 

Ummulkhair> My favourite food is fried rice with cornstarch soup...I just love all the flavours that you taste at the tip of your tongue when the dish is made right. I love baking chocolate cakes; the taste is like a reward after waiting for it to bake. Others are pineapple upside down& cheese cakes. My favourite drinks are chapman, mocha slush, melon frappe and I also love to grill. You can just call me a foodie because I love good food.

TMG> How involved are you in the beverage aspect?

Ummulkhair> I am very much involved in the beverage aspect. I have my own special recipes and sometimes I just mix certain fruits and it comes out tasty and healthy and loved by many.

TMG> How do you resolve the menu development and overall design? During or before an event?

Ummulkhair> I do that before the event and we have to come to a certain agreement from both sides.

TMG> How many employees report to you?

Ummulkhair> Not many at the moment because my business is not that big yet. The number of employees depends on the order at hand but I'm positive it will become a very big establishment in the nearest future.

TMG> What do you do to stay educated about new trends?

Ummulkhair> I'm always browsing to see what's in vogue in the business. I learn innovations online, through my mentors or from cookery classes and I also explore my competitors to see where I am lacking.

TMG> What are your challenges and how do you intend to handle them?

Ummulkhair> Well, my challenge is that I am an introvert and nowadays, to be successful in business you must socialise and use the social media well, which I'm working very hard to do. I'm trying to align myself with people who can help me become more sociable. I have alot of knowledge of anything to do with food and love what I am doing, so I need to mingle with people in order to get them to taste and love my food.

TMG> What do you do to ensure the quality of your ingredients and the food going out to customers?

Ummulkhair> What people don't understand is that when your products are not of good quality, nobody will come back for more. I do my business with integrity and make sure I use the best ingredients which must be fresh and nutritious. For perishable goods, I touch, smell, taste etc. As for the other products, I check the labels and expiry dates.

TMG> Give us an example of someone you have trained or mentored. Where did they start and where are they now?

Ummulkhair> Most of the time, I train people close to me, like family and friends. Some turn it into business and some utilise it in their personal kitchens. It brings a smile to my face whenever I see them putting the knowledge to good use.

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career.

Ummulkhair>I feel proud everytime I achieve something new but I am aiming heigher, and that's when I will proudly say I have done it.

TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers?

Ummulkhair> Managing a business as an upcoming caterer is not easy but I try my best to please my customers. About handling my customers, I make sure I listen to what they want and how they want it to be done.

TMG> Tell us 3 things that you consider to be your strengths as a caterer?

Ummulkhair>

- Confidence 

 -Knowledge seeking 

 -Determination

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon an event planner?

Ummulkhair> I want to improve in my baking aspect, especially decorating cakes for events in the sense that nowadays, innovative methods of decorations come out everyday.

TMG> How unique is your cooking and what do they think of you as a caterer?

Ummulkhair> My cooking is unique in a way!! I mostly use natural spices such as cinnamon,turmeric,Fennel and others, and I have my unique combination of flavours.

TMG> What way can you encourage other youths who want to start a business like yours? 

Ummulkhair> I believe cooking is a passion; when you have it then you wouldn’t have much problem. With passion, determination and talent you can start small and gradually grow at it(and it must have your own unique taste).

TMG> Do you have time to socialise and how?

Ummulkhair> For now, I can say I have some spare time to socialise but I dont utilise it well. However, I'm working hard on making some changes