Serving up hot boxes of deliciousness for 36 years

AT THE head of Eping Avenue near Vlissengen Road, “Rastaman” Keith Hutchins has been selling all things vegetarian at the same spot for over 30 years, much to the happiness of his customers.

Hutchins sells out of a small minibus – his third vehicle since he started his profession – and although the others have rusted away overtime, the 61-year-old still remains vibrant in the food business.

On the roadside in his bright pink vehicle, Hutchins’ operation sits snugly between the popular Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fast-food establishment and a Rubis Gas Station which also has a convenience store.

Although the two businesses can be viewed as strong competition to his ‘roadside hustle’, Hutchins told the Pepperpot Magazine that many times his location works to his advantage rather than the other way around.

“What I sell is different from everybody so I don’t really see it as a competition. It doesn’t really bother me. I’m glad, in a sense, that they deh bout because I get to see more people when the day comes,” he said. “You might get a car load of people come to KFC and somebody out of the car might come and buy something from me. They being around is a good thing, it’s good for my business,” he remarked positively.

Hutchins recalled in 1982 when he first got permission to sell at the spot from the late owner of the gas station, veteran petrol dealer Steve Chung, when it was known as Texaco Gas Station.

Today, he comes out around 11:00hrs daily from Fourth Street, Alberttown to his spot and leaves around 16:00hrs, and sells every day except on Sundays and holidays.

Hutchins averages that he gets some 100 customers per day so he utilises the help of five rotated staff as, on his own, he probably wouldn’t be able to handle the numbers.
On any given day, should one pass by his location, it is not strange to see customers stopping by in cars and minibuses, on bicycles and donkey carts and many others through the good old fashion means, by foot.

Apart from “Rastaman”, “Uncle Keith” is another name customers call out when they order from his many options of veggie burgers, doubles, potato balls, channa, macaroni and cheese, pizza, fry bake and chunks, juices and more.

It’s through his livelihood on Eping Street that helped Hutchins to support his family and acquire his own place in Alberttown where he lives with wife, daughter and granddaughter.
“My daughter she works and my wife, together, we do the business. She looks over the girls [staff] at work and at home because everything [food items] come from home so I help to prepare and when I’m finished I go and sell,” he said.

However, even out in the open Hutchins has had to deal with several issues at times such as stealing and dishonest customers.

“There are people who come and take out drinks and put it in their bag. They have people who would come and ask for credit but then you never see them back. Right now I have a staff that now looks after giving out change because when I was alone, everybody would come around and the crowd is there but when she is there it doesn’t happen like before,” he said.

But his approach to his business is still one of positivity as Hutchins said: “If the robbing man comes to rob, I show him respect. The policeman, I show him respect. Anybody who comes, I show them respect.”

Hutchins wants to expand his business very soon but says that insufficient finance is a big issue at the moment.

“It gets to me at times because it’s 36 years I’ve been out there so sometimes I feel stagnated. Right now I’m thinking to upgrade to a canter because all the years I’ve been there on my own it’s like a one-man band,” he said.

Hutchins is also worried that his age will be a deterrent to him receiving a loan at the bank to advance his trade and lamented that if Chung were alive, the kindly man would have assisted in any way he could.

Rest is also on the agenda for “Rastaman” as he remarked: “Right now, too, I could use some rest. Because from 1982 to now I’ve been out there without a day leave…for more than half of my life,” he said.

Despite his own troubles, Hutchins had much advice to give to others like himself who are looking to make a living through self-employment.

“Don’t’ give up…sometimes there are discouragements but if you have the money, continue. And that’s what I do, I stay with all the good and the bad and made it into an establishment,” he said. “There are times when I don’t even have money to pay my staff but I have to keep going. Even if it’s bad you have to act on the bad and make it good for your customers and your workers.”

He added that there is much joy in the work he does as anytime he skips a day customers usually notice and express a yearn for his food and snacks which is why he tries always to be present .

Summing up why he has remained in the business for so many years, Hutchins said: “It’s an enjoyment. Knowing that you can keep some people happy by working and providing a salary and the customers, too, they encourage me.”