Business, Business Unboxed

Business Unboxed: Zuleeats

Zule Ankamah, owner of Zuleeats. Photo by Vicki Bartel

A taste of Ghana, one bite at a time.

Zuleeats started as a pandemic project that grew into so much more. Zule Ankamah had always been passionate about cooking and hospitality. While on layoff from the Caesars Windsor Casino due to the pandemic, her children suggested she start an Instagram page in the fall of 2020 to offer catering until things picked up again.

The focus was initially family and friends but before she knew it, people she didn’t know were reaching out to try her food.

With a demand realized, a motivation to really make it a business was born. In the Winter of 2021, she made it official with the rental of a commercial kitchen. Since then Zule has participated in local markets, sold her food in retail shops, and has now opened her own storefront as of February, 2022.

Zuleeats is proud to be family operated. Zule and her four kids work together on everything from recipe testing, baking, social media, website management, markets and popups!

We had the chance to interview Zule about her entrepreneurial journey, her new storefront and her recipe development.

How would you describe your business and/or products in 200 words or less?

Zule Ankamah: 
Zuleeats is proud to bring the flavours of Ghana to Windsor-Essex! Zuleeats specializes in traditional Ghanaian savoury meat pies, but don’t let the name fool you! Filling options for pies include vegan and vegetarian, as well as beef and chicken. Each filling has a unique blend of mouth-watering seasoning and is enveloped in a flaky golden brown pastry.

In addition to meat/veggie pies, Zuleeats offers Ghanaian snacks (chips, biscuits), meal specials and butter tarts. Each of these treats are handmade, baked fresh, and only the highest quality products are used.

Ready to take your taste buds on a trip to Ghana?

Who are your target clients?

Zule:
Anyone who loves good food! Joking aside, we do strive to be accessible to anyone and everyone. We provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options to make sure our food is inclusive.

What do your clients say about your business?

Zule:
We feel grateful and so fortunate about the feedback we’ve received from the community. We often hear that they’ve never tasted flavours like ours before and can’t wait to have it again. New clients will try one pie and come back for a dozen. There is nothing more rewarding than that feeling.

flavourful Ghanaian pies fresh from the Zuleeats oven

What are your plans for business growth? New products that clients can look out for?

Zule:
Having our own space has been a goal, and we are even more excited that our space came with a storefront. We are looking to expand our list of retailers who carry our pies. This currently includes Little Foot Foods, Auntie Aldoos, the Vegan Gardiners, Healthy Mama, the Farm House Market, Local Eats and Christine’s Bake Shop.

We also look forward to adding more seasonal Ghanaian items to our menu!

Tell us about your new storefront.

Zule:
We took over 2760 Howard Avenue in Windsor on February 1st and were able to open our doors at the end of February. We feel so welcomed by the community and love having a place to call home after renting ghost kitchens for a year.

Can you tell our readers a bit about how you develop your recipes? Without giving away any secrets of course!

Zule:
I came to Windsor 30 years ago, having grown up in Ghana (West Africa). The flavours and cooking style are what I learned growing up, with my own twist. We take our cues from our customers. People were looking for heat so we added spicy pies to the menu! Everything is a blend of Ghanaian tradition and my culinary passion.

What advice would you give to others who might be considering starting a business?

Zule:
Listen to your gut! Trust that feeling inside of you that tells you to go for it. It is a scary thing to think about, especially if you have a reliable career. Putting yourself out there can be scary, so do it in steps. We started with Instagram, and then a website, then the markets and then finally our own storefront.

How do our readers find you?

Zule:
Storefront
2760 Howard Avenue
Windsor, ON N8X 3X6

Phone
(519)-980-6024

Email
zuleeats@gmail.com

Facebook
@Zuleeats

Instagram
@zuleeats

Website
www.zuleeats.ca

TikTok
@zuleeats (no content yet, but coming!)

Photos provided by Zule Ankamah

 


 

 

Business Unboxed is a regular feature of Brightly Boxed, a locally curated gifting platform. Find us on InstagramFacebook or TikTok

Our email: info@brightlyboxed.com 

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