Revolutionising The Catering Industry One Dish At A Time
by Staff Reporter on 28/05/12 at 10:24 am
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With a tenacious passion for food and unfaltering dedication and determination, Karen Short acted on her entrepreneurial calling almost 20 years ago, and opened a small catering company in Johannesburg. By Word of Mouth, started out as a three man operation, all of who are all still with the company, and today employs over 100 staff members. Its client base includes private and corporate clients, and its portfolio ranges from small intimate dinners to large scale events. So what is the secret recipe to this award-winning company being named ‘Best Caterer in Johannesburg for the last 11 consecutive years’ by Leisure Options Readers Choice Awards?
Karen’s consistent quest to convert ordinary food experiences into extraordinary ones, attracted a dynamic workforce of skilled chefs and culinary trendsetters who continuously push boundaries to ensure that By Word of Mouth continues to revolutionise the industry. With Karen kept busy focusing on food and function design, her husband, Adrian Short, runs the business side of the company.
Feeling confident and secure in the knowledge that we have a dynamic team who enthuse energy, passion and pride, and consistently deliver exceptional value to our clients, gives Adrian and I the energy and creativity to constantly think about and pursue new business avenues,” says Karen.
Currently By Word of Mouth’s operating divisions include Function Catering, Design, Decor and Event Rental, Staffing, Beverage, Sports Catering and Floral Design. But its latest venture, the launch of a Contract Catering division, sets out to challenge the common notion of staff canteens.
By really listening to and understanding their corporate client’s requirements, the Shorts have acted on the need to revamp the notion of traditional staff canteens. Contract catering or staff restaurants as they call it, will replace staff canteen food and provide cost-effective wholesome, healthy, bespoke menu options that change daily to suit every palate. Their new state-of-the-art kitchens, based on a European model, allow them to deliver an innovative product, and thus differentiate them from other canteen operators.
Adrian says, “Our research and experience reveals that the South African population is definitely migrating towards healthier living and eating. Owing to this, there is a need for corporate companies to rethink and adapt their standard canteen setup, which often offers plain, unhealthy convenience food. Many corporates don’t have the in-house capabilities to offer healthier, more exciting options to staff. So through this division, By Word of Mouth, will roll out exclusive and unique staff restaurants in corporate companies around Gauteng. The first project opened at Bateman’s brand new head office on the East Rand of Johannesburg in April this year. Based on the response, we look forward to rapid growth and success in this new division.”
For more information visit, www.bywordofmouth.co.za.
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Tags: entrepreneurs, South African Entrepreneurs
