Ethnic food manufacturer set for exciting future after move to new premises

An ethnic food manufacturing company run from a family kitchen in Telford since it was founded 18 months ago is moving to new premises at Harlescott Barns in Shrewsbury this week (week ending 3 May 2013) as part of ambitious plans to grow the business.

Mukaase Foods Ltd was founded by husband and wife Frederick and Christiana Annancy in December 2011. The company produces quality homemade African-Caribbean ready meals, sauces, jerk spices and food products inspired by family recipes from Ghana.

Products are currently sold through a network of independent retailers, delicatessens, farm shops and markets, but the couple now hope to start supplying national supermarket chains too, and will start running a takeaway and delivery service, as well as cooking classes, from Tuesday 7 May.

Having outgrown their kitchen, and with plans to expand the business, Frederick and Christiana approached Shropshire Council’s business support team for advice and support, and for help with finding new premises suitable for food production.

They were given funding advice from Shropshire Council’s business support team, and attended one of the council’s free business clinics, where they received advice about how to grow the business from an experienced business advisor.

The council also identified the site at Harlescott Barns in Shrewsbury as most suitable for the company, and Mukaase Foods are moving in to their new premises this week.

Now the company is looking forward to an exciting and successful future, and are working with Heart of England Fine Foods to help increase sales and identify new customers.

Frederick said:

“Our love for food and cooking inspired us to start Mukaase Foods to share our tasty treats and recipes with all. We’re really grateful for the help and support we’ve received from Shropshire Council and we’re looking to moving into our new premises, and to an exciting future for the company.”

Mark Pembleton, Shropshire Council’s service manager for business and enterprise, said:

“We have been very pleased to help Mukaase Foods with their dynamic growth plans. We were able to fast-track their investment with our single point of contact approach and with one of own small commercial premises in Shrewsbury. We know that Mukaase will make a wonderful new addition to the incredibly important speciality food and drink sector in the town.”

From Tuesday 7 May, between 12noon and 6pm, Mukaase Foods will be serving takeaway from their new premises, and will be making lunch and tea-time deliveries in and around Shrewsbury.

They also have a range of new products coming out soon, including the authentic south African Cape Malay curry sauce, and their own meat dressing.

They will also be running a cookery class for anybody wanting to learn to cook African-Caribbean foods, and launching a secret supper club in Telford on 18 May.

Mukaase Foods are members of HEFF (Heart of England Fine Foods) and WIRE (Women In Rural Enterprise).

Mukaase means ‘kitchen’ in Akan, a language spoken in Ghana.