The founders of an Afro-Caribbean food store in Birmingham are celebrating after being shortlisted at the prestigious Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards.
Samis Food Store based in Birmingham and Northampton specialise in groceries and carefully source the highest quality and authentic African-Caribbean food produce.
Fighting off stiff competition, the African and Caribbean store will go up against three other stores to be crowned ‘Large Independent Retailer of the Year’ at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair, which takes place on 5th and 6th September 2022 at Olympia London.
Recognising and celebrating the individuals and businesses driving excellence and product innovation in the fine food and drink community, the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards champion all that makes the industry such a remarkable and inspiring place.
Consumers can vote for their favourite store here. The public vote will be weighted 50/50 with the judges scores to determine the winner in each category. Voting closes on the 25th August at 5pm.
The shortlisting comes as founders of Samis, husband and wife duo Olusegun Akande (42) and Oyetola Isola (40), continue their mission to bring authentic, healthy Afro-Carribean food to a wider UK market with a variety of options for customers.
Olusegun Akande, Co-founder of Samis Online and Oyetty Meals, said: “We are delighted to have been acknowledged by the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards in driving product innovation. Earlier this year we launched our Oyetty Afro-Caribbean ready meals in store for our loyal customers, and they’ve been a huge success. We hope to see them in larger retailers later this year and will continue to innovate and drive excellence in the food industry.”
Olusegun and his wife, Oyetola, launched Samis Food Store in 2011 after noticing a lack of original African-Caribbean food ingredients to buy in the West Midlands part of the UK.
Due to the success of the cash and carry business, the entrepreneurs have launched online, bringing ingredients to customers across the UK, along with creating their own brand of sourced seasonings, rice, flour, beans and more under the brand of Pride of Africa and Old Africa. The duo also opened a takeaway restaurant and bar, Empress Bar and Grill serving the best of African cuisine to local customers in Birmingham.
