Despite initial challenges and discouragement, Kaleni Lucas has persevered and turned a dream into a thriving catering venture in the competitive food industry.
And it was not just an ordinary dream, she said.
“In 2019, while working as a personal assistant, I remembered a dream in which God told me to make a specific meal,” she told VIBEZ!
Speaking from her kitchen where the VIBEZ! team caught up with her while she was preparing meal orders for the day, she said God spoke to her directly, and is still guiding her on this entrepreneurial path.
After analysing the dream, she embarked on her catering adventure which started with a small batch of five meal packs, of which only two were sold.
Undeterred by this initial setback, Lucas remained resolute in her pursuit of her dream.
However, everything was not smooth-sailing as she contemplated quitting at some stage.
“When I first started selling, I used someone else’s photos to advertise my business, and the lady exposed me on social media. I was pretty down and about to quit until a lawyer named Mr Norman heard my tale, and ordered 20 packs to encourage me. He did this for two days in a row, and that was my turning point. Last year, I catered for a birthday celebration, which opened numerous avenues for me. Since then, I’ve catered at a variety of events, including for NBC and the Spanish Embassy, to name a few,” she recalls.
Kaleni’s Catering Services now caters to a wide range of events, including weddings, birthday parties, business gatherings, funerals and baby showers. Her versatility and dedication to providing exceptional dining experiences have made her a sought-after caterer in Windhoek.
With each event she caters for, Lucas aims to leave a lasting impression on her clients by delivering delectable and beautifully presented meals.
She has also since moved on from using a one-plate cooker to now owning a four-plate cooker with an oven.
The one-plate cooker presented significant difficulties, such as that she couldn’t cook additional meals when customers ordered more meal packs, and couldn’t deliver on time.
“My other difficulty was that I had a phone that couldn’t capture good pictures, which is how I ended up using someone else’s photos to advertise my business. A friend of mine, Justina, reached out to me and encouraged me to not give up, and that my doors are now open.”
“The person who exposed me also opened doors for me since others began calling me to encourage me and buying from me to support my business, which is how I overcame those obstacles,” she added.
Lucas has proven many other people wrong through her hard work and commitment to excellence. She says growing up in Walvis Bay caused scepticism from some individuals, who doubted her chances of success in Windhoek.
“What distinguishes us is our ability to give a one-of-a-kind and specialised service which is tailored to the needs of our clients. We want to provide our customers/clients with unique dining experiences by offering customised menus, amazing presentations and exceptional customer service. We pay close attention to detail because each event necessitates personalised planning and execution.”
Asked how the foody bug bit, she said her biggest source of motivation is her mother, who has been a culinary inspiration in her life.
“Growing up in a family of six, me and my siblings inherited our mother’s love for cooking. Her exquisite dishes ignited my passion for the culinary arts, setting me on a path to explore the world of flavours and taste.”
Lucas adheres to food and safety standards to ensure that the food she serves is safe and free of contamination. She sources high-quality ingredients, and makes certain that all ingredients are fresh. She also tastes the food, as well as solicits comments from her customers.
Kaleni’s Catering Services handle dietary restrictions or special requests from clients with ease by making sure the menu is tailored to the needs of her customers, such as those who require gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan options. She also makes substitutions for ingredients, but the most critical aspect of catering, she said, is effective communication with clients.
“In order to stay afloat, we ask our clients for feedback, and ask about areas where we can improve. We also monitor social media to see what the most popular dishes are,” she told VIBEZ!
Lucas offers free delivery to customers.
Her dreams are certainly coming to fruition, and she feels that this is only the beginning of good things to come.
“I would like to carry on by the grace of God. I would like to extend my business to other town,s and have my own delivery vehicles. I give it all in God’s hands, and really pray for the very best,” she stated.
– epicnakwezy@gmail.com