BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OWNER of Gary’s Catering Service, Dion ‘Gary’ Williams is making a name for himself in the food industry.
The small business operator, who learnt the art of cooking from his grandmother and who also inspired him to take up the career, has been doing so for more than two decades.
“I have been cooking for 25 years and still going on. I started out watching my grandmother when I was home. She would come and tell me how to do this and that and I enjoyed cooking from then onwards.”
The food operator told SKNVibes Business that he gained his experience by working with several companies as a cook, which started shortly after he gained his secondary education at the Basseterre High School.
He then moved on to the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College where he became a certified cook.
“I first started at Fort Thomas Hotel as a dishwasher and I used to be watching people and I told myself that I have to move up. Eventually, I became a cook then I moved to be a chef. From there I went to Frigate Bay Beach Resort, then I worked at Ready Fry and I said I have to move up some more. Then I went over to Angela’s and then I came here (Timothy Beach Resort).”
Williams noted that the catering business is a profession and for its practitioners to achieve success they must be able to satisfy the needs of their customers.
“Well catering is good once you know what you are doing. You have to get the skills, the potential and you know what you want to offer to the public out there, otherwise you are history. Sometimes in the first week you are busy with customers who would have tried your foods, but after that people would become accustomed to it.”
The 47-year-old businessman explained that he carries out his operations from his Lodge Project home but would accommodate customers if they want the service to be done at locations of their choice.
Williams also explained that he undertakes the bulk of the operation but his wife, daughter and others would assist in cooking, serving and occasionally decorating when required.
He stated that his home is well-equipped with a large fridge and a spacious kitchen which allows him to finish his dishes in a timely manner.
However, the father of one declared that his business is only facing one major challenge, which is finding a spacious location in downtown Basseterre at an affordable price.
“The only real challenge I have faced over the years is finding a place in town because those places call a lot of money. The rent itself is going because it costs a lot more than what you would make.”
The soft spoken Williams noted that he is a very popular individual and his catering service has become a household name in St. Kitts.
He has received positive reviews from his many customers and, they in turn would have recommended him to their friends and families.
Williams declared that even though he is a rounded chef, he prefers to prepare the local dishes.
The Newtown-born chef advised that if an individual were contemplating on entering the catering profession, they should be “positive minded and must know their strengths and know what menu they would want to focus on. They must also seek help from the more experienced individuals if they are incapable of undertaking a given task”.
Williams is currently employed as a chef at the Timothy Beach Resort, and has been there for the past nine years and half years.
