– Local entrepreneur ready to take on any obstacle that comes his way

JUST when Calvin Roberts thought that he was well on his way to developing his small business, problems set in that would make it difficult for him to continue. The coronavirus pandemic also added last year to the stresses of running a new business. But Calvin was sure that he wouldn’t give up so easily.

Having decided to launch ‘Calvin’s Indigenous Cuisine’ – Han-the Wako-tha-the (Come let’s eat), Calvin, who has roots in the Pomeroon, had to allow his business to go dormant for a while. The finances were just not there, and the idea on which he’d worked so hard had to be put on pause.

“Finance is always a challenge when you’re starting up a business; the money to invest and execute our ideas. I had my fair share of it,” he told Pepperpot Magazine recently. But he is thankful that he had the sort of resilience needed to start right back up in January.

“I am thankful that I was able to execute the idea I had, which is to promote and uphold my indigenous culture; one that I have seen is dying gradually. It has always been close to my heart to be an advocate for my indigenous people,” he shared.

Although he had the business idea since 2018, he was only able to get started in September 2021, but the pressures of the ongoing pandemic put a damper on things. “Business was slow because many persons were adhering to the protocols, but the support was overwhelming. 2022 started off on the night note and looks bright,” he expressed.

So far, Calvin is happy that Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, paid him a visit and supported his business. He is also glad about the support he’s been getting from others and from private businesses.

“Calvin’s Indigenous Cuisine is all about reinforcing our culture, our heritage. As a first people in Guyana, I believe many times we are underrated, not seen as important. This is why I am happy that the business is back up. January has seen much growth,” he said.

“It’s more than just a business for me. It’s about my love for my traditions and an appreciation of who I am as an indigenous young man. I am ready to pursue, go forward and face any obstacle that may come along this journey, because I believe I owe it to my Amerindian brothers and sisters,” he continued.

Calvin is hoping to be one of the winners in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Business Innovative Project. “If I am one of the persons to receive that $1M, the first thing I would do is to erect a benab restaurant at my home to accommodate more people. “Presently, I use my house space and it can only accommodate so many people.”

Now back in business, Calvin especially appreciates when customers preorder. He has included Bush Cow Tuma and Farine Fried Rice with chicken in his menu. In addition, beginning today, he will be launching ‘Pepperpot Sunday’ with Lokono cassava bread. “We also have our ancestors Black Gold cassareep all the way from the Pomeroon.”

Operating from his Lot 515 Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo home, his menu includes cassava bread and tuma pot, labba, deer, wild hog, capybara, fish, walrus and chicken with beverages such as potato wine (Fly) and piwari.

“I always wanted to start my business at home, to embrace that uniqueness and pride that comes along. As my business progresses, I will then venture to where ever the need is great. It is about promoting and upholding the Indigenous lifestyle, culture and tradition,” Roberts had said.

“I want to reintroduce or reinforce the importance of lifestyle modification, specifically diet modification,” he said, adding: “My cuisine seeks to promote healthy eating habits as we gear the Guyanese people to make a conscious decision to adapt[sic] a healthy lifestyle and thus increase the chance of their longevity.”