With the growing potential for more Anguillian-owned culinary services, a new restaurant, appropriately named Yum Yum Restaurant by Prim, has opened on the Stoney Ground Road. The name of the restaurant conjures up sentiments of tasty food. The serving of breakfast, lunch and dinner will all be based on a specially-arranged menu available throughout the day.
Primrose Ritchie-Gumbs, its young and visionary owner, widely supported and encouraged by many other young people and friends, as well as her large family, is not just an ordinary entrepreneur. She is a graduate of SUNY, Cobleskill, with an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales University. The Government scholarship winner is also backed by seven years of experience as a Teacher in the Hospitality Department at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School; two years as a Chef de parte at Viceroy Anguilla; and a number of years in private dining, catering, event planning and villa management.
Her primary target market includes schoolchildren and the business community in particular, as well as tourists, many of whom she has interacted with during previous hospitality engagements.
“I stand before you with a feeling of accomplishment as the proud owner of Yum Yum Restaurant by Prim,” Primose told the large gathering at the opening ceremony on Sunday, May 11. “The driving forces behind this accomplishment have undoubtedly been my love for cooking and lots of encouragement from close friends.”
Primrose, spoke following the pronouncement of a blessing on her and the restaurant by Anglican Priest, Rev Menes Hodge. She continued: “When I conceived the concept for the restaurant, I knew I wanted something different, something innovative, something fresh, something cutting edge. I wanted a restaurant with a menu that would be mouth-watering, nutritious, balanced, health [though] with some unhealthy elements. I wanted a restaurant where the atmosphere, customer service and meals were all equally important, all outstanding. I wanted to provide an experience for all customers that would leave them with a smile and have them coming back.
“Here’s a fun fact for you. Do you know that with the price of groceries in Anguilla, constantly on the rise, it is actually cheaper to eat at Yum Yum everyday than to shop and cook your own meals? Here at Yum Yum we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. We will provide good quality food to match your dollar… Some may think my menu is crazy but I see it as my way of offering variety.”
Primrose said she was “thankful and blessed to be one of Anguilla’s newest and youngest entrepreneurs”.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mrs Evalie Bradley, one of Primrose’s admirers. She said, “Primrose is one of those young ladies who has always been someone I thought is very special, and I hope we all will continue to give her all the support she needs in this venture.” Mrs Bradley went on: “Given the economic climate in Anguilla, it will not be easy and she will depend upon us as, locals, to give her our support. It blessed my heart when I understood that Primrose was opening this restaurant because we have seen the trend over the years where everything local seems to be slipping away from us. This is one reason for us to give her our support now.”
Mr Lowell Hodge, a member of the family, who owns the building which was previously operated as a Mexican-type restaurant, was pleased that Primrose had come forward with her food service concept. “When Prim called me to rent this place, she was so persistent – and after I saw the amount of energy she put into it, I am convinced that she is the right person for this restaurant at the right time. It is brave effort on the part of a young person to embark on such a brave venture, and it will be important for all her friends, and the Anguillian community, to give her their support.”
Primrose was also the recipient of much commendation and best wishes from a number of other persons including family members and friends.
