Guyana’s new ‘heat up and eat up’ alternative

HAVE you ever had an unrelenting urge to settle down with a bowl of pepperpot but didn’t have the time, ingredients, or simply the energy to make it? This is where Grace Parris would say Pepperpot in a Box comes in. An innovative solution to a very relatable issue, Pepperpot in a Box by the food brand Ashdel’s is one product in a growing market of convenient ready-to-use foods.

For the majority of Guyanese, pepperpot from anything other than a pot is hard to accept. However, the businesswoman and creator of the product turning heads says that Ashdel’s Pepperpot in a Box is not meant to replace the prized Guyanese cuisine but is instead an easier, faster, and more convenient option to enjoy an age-old dish.

Grace Parris spent much of her professional career teaching others the uses and intricacies of agro-processing and home economics. As she approached retirement, however, she sought new ways to put her skills to use. “When I was thinking of my retirement, I thought agro-processing is something I would do because there’s a lot of money to be made if you do it right.” Looking for a gap in the market, Grace found that “what I wasn’t seeing was our locals on the market like how you would see the whole ready-to-eat foods out there.”

Her first product idea came from a personal moment in the kitchen. As she shared, “I started with the instant plantain flour because when I was cooking porridge for my grandson, I thought, ‘There has to be an easier way to do this.’” Grace emphasised that her flagship product, Pepperpot in a Box, is not meant to replace traditional cooking but to offer an alternative. “Pepperpot in a box is not to replace the traditional pepperpot. It’s really intended for when you feel like eating pepperpot but don’t want to do the work or have the time,” she said.

The international market seems to be open to the idea of packaged pepperpot, says Grace, with the response from international buyers growing since the product’s launch a few years ago during the pandemic. “Overseas buyers are a lot more enthusiastic because they understand the concept of on-the-go meals. You come home tired, and all you have to do is heat it and eat it.” Grace’s Pepperpot in a Box takes convenience to a whole new level, even in how it is made. “The biggest difference between Pepperpot in a Box and the traditional one is the bones—it has no bones. If you’re a person who doesn’t like bones, you’re good to go,” she said.

Grace shared her experiences of the challenges of starting a food business from home. “I started in my kitchen, but your kitchen is never the ideal place. What we probably need in Guyana is a commercial space that small businesses can rent for a day or two,” she said. Since then, she has developed her processing facility located in Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara. When asked about the product’s design, she explained the careful balance between portability and affordability. “The part that is in my box is just strictly beef, and the idea is for it to be portable and convenient,” she said.

Pricing was one of the toughest challenges Grace encountered during development, finding a way for her products to be both profitable for her and affordable for the customers. “The hardest part about making Pepperpot in a Box was the cost. You want it portable, but you also want to keep it affordable for customers,” she said. Grace continues to encourage sceptics to consider the broader context of convenience foods: “You don’t have a problem using canned tuna, sardine, and corned beef, so why not this? It’s the same concept; the only difference is theirs is in a tin, and mine is in a pouch,” she stated.

Grace is still a strong champion for organic foods and home-cooked meals, ensuring she uses all-natural ingredients in her recipes. “My products are made from natural ingredients, like plantain that is dried. But how I make them ready-to-eat is my trade secret.” Since launching her product, Grace has noticed significant growth in customer support. “From 2021 to now, I’ve definitely seen tremendous growth in people supporting the product. The exposure has been increasing as well.”

She explained how her product is designed to meet a variety of dining needs. “If you feel like pepperpot and don’t want to cook, just heat it and eat it. You can have it with bread, rice, or whatever you have on hand.” In addition to pepperpot, her product range includes other innovative options. As she shared, “The instant plantain porridge comes in three varieties—plain, complete with milk and sugar, and one with coconut milk. There’s also an instant soup with provisions and chicken.”

For those interested in trying something new, Ashdel’s products are distributed across local supermarkets rather than directly from her factory. “My location is on the East Coast of Demerara, but the products are not sold there. They are available in supermarkets like DSL and at the Guyana Shop.” Grace hopes that her venture will inspire others in the local market. As she told The Pepperpot Magazine, “I’m hoping that by doing this, others will also look into ready-to-eat ideas. There’s so much potential in this space.”