Meet Zaiditu Persaud-Alabi | Owner & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zaiditu Persaud-Alabi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zaiditu, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?

Firstly, failure will come as an entrepreneur. All of the greats will tell you this. So before you think about giving up, ask yourself this: “Am I struggling because this path isn’t meant for me or am I struggling because I refuse to pivot?” This was something that a fellow caterer in Chattanooga advised me to think about when I first began my business. If something is not working for your business, you have to be willing to try something different.

Secondly, learn to maximize your business with what you readily have at your disposal. I could’ve easily given up early on because I knew that operating the business would be difficult due to limited capital and not having a brick and mortar. Instead,  I chose to look at what I could do without a brick and mortar.  Mainly, I don’t have to worry about the expensive overhead. I’m able to allocate the money towards other important areas needed to grow Fusion Thyme Kitchen.

Lastly, before you consider giving up, take some time to watch “Shark Tank.” “Shark Tank” has easily become one of my favorite shows as an entrepreneur. If you pay close attention, the show can teach you how to perfect your business pitch. I often take notes of questions asked by the sharks which are actually questions you would usually find on a business grant application. What inspires me the most about “Shark Tank” is that you have people from all walks of life, young and old, with an uncompromising passion to build something of their own. Just imagine if some of these people were to give up simply due to age, lack of experience, or self-doubt.

I always try to remind myself that I have more days ahead of me in this life, than I do behind me.  I never forget to congratulate myself on the small or major accomplishments within my business.  I encourage every fellow entrepreneur that’s struggling to do the same.

Keep pouring into your business each day, even on those really tough days. You never know how close you are to achieving that major goal you’ve set for your business!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Fusion Thyme Kitchen is a Caribbean and Afro-fusion catering company that combines the explosive flavors of Guyana, Jamaica, and Nigeria on one plate. The spark to begin this business came during my mid-twenties, at a time where I was barely surviving as a “hangry” vegan. I was craving Caribbean and West African dishes, but even the rice and pasta options seemed to be cooked with some form of meat, fish, or dairy. I knew back then that I wanted to create something where no one felt alienated due to their choice of diet.

We pack on all of the flavor at Fusion Thyme Kitchen! All of the meat/fish/seafood options are seasoned and marinated to perfection. A customer can stick to eating the basics, such as jerk chicken and rice and peas or discover a new meal combination like Nigerian chicken suya and Guyanese chow-mein. The honey jerk chicken and jollof rice are a highly requested combo, hence why we’ve deemed ourselves as the, “Home of the Best Jerk & Jollof.”

All of our rice and pasta options are 100% vegan and we do not use or sell any pork. We’re currently working on purchasing our meats from local and sustainable farmers. We’re also working on using eco-friendly food packaging to aid in the fight for increased sustainability among caterers and restaurant owners.

Our mouthwatering patties often sell out fast at events! The patties are made from scratch and hours are spent on preparing the dough along with the fillings. While some places have a small selection of vegetarian or vegan patties, Fusion Thyme Kitchen serves several vegan options! The impossible beef patty, curry potato patty, and jerk plantain patty, to name a few, are based with Just Egg, a plant-based egg substitute. We base our vegan patties with Just Egg because similar to the traditional patty that’s based with a beaten egg yolk, that flaky golden crust is crucial!

As a new business that began in May of this year, the biggest challenge for Fusion Thyme Kitchen is figuring out innovative ways to get our name out there. When I started this business, I was living and operating out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Now that I’m living and operating out of the Greater Atlanta area, I’m learning how to engage customers in a more culturally diverse market. It helps that Atlanta already has the fourth largest population for African immigrants in the nation and just over 80,000 Caribbean immigrants. That means we have a strong chance of reaching those who’re already familiar with this type of cuisine and potentially transforming them into regular customers. On a larger scale, I would love to reach those in the area who’re unfamiliar with this type of food and convince them to keep coming back!

Fusion Thyme Kitchen is more than just a catering service. We’re building an unforgettable brand that celebrates the delicious offerings within the Caribbean and West Africa!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I love Atlanta and its diversity! It has changed tremendously compared to when I used to visit as a child. I’m still exploring all of its new offerings, but here is how I’d plan out the itinerary.

First things first, no decent ATL itinerary can be developed without a solid food selection. The food is the entire vibe! Slutty Vegan ATL on Ralph Abernathy would have to be our first stop because the experience is top tier. When Jagged Edge asked, “Where the Party At?” just know that it’s happening at Slutty Vegan on Abernathy!

If we’re craving a meat dinner, Delbar Middle Eastern Restaurant in Old Fourth Ward would be the move. You can’t skip on the chicken and lamb! Not to mention, the hummus is made fresh daily and the outside seating is very peaceful.

Since we can’t eat out every single day, Sevananda Natural Foods Market on Moreland is the best location for a grocery run. Sevananda is the example of what every grocery co-op should be! They have a friendly staff, clean establishment, and endless organic food options.

At some point, we’ve got to dance off all of this food, so we’re headed to Backstage Atlanta near the Hartsfield Jackson Airport. Hopefully, the ATL traffic won’t force us to arrive ten minutes before closing. However, we’ll say a quick prayer in the car. Backstage is the perfect place for a mix of old school and new school as well as a great place for networking.

Once it’s time to cool down after a few hours of dancing, a trip to Moods Music in Little Five Points is a must! Where else can you find Sade’s Love Deluxe album, “Why We Can’t Wait” by Dr. King, and a Black-owned clothing brand in one place? Moods Music gives me life every time I visit! Also, Moods Music serves delicious vegan artisan treats for those with a nagging sweet tooth!

It’s time to cheer on the Atlanta United Football Club! We’ll wrap up the week-long adventure at the place to be, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you’ve got to attend an AUFC game at least once in your life. Never underestimate ATL’s ability to turn every event into a celebration!

If there’s any time left, a jog through Piedmont Park shall do! Let’s just hope there isn’t a festival going on or you might be convinced to stay in Atlanta permanently. As the locals say, we’re full!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a “shoutout” to my mother and my stepfather. Growing up, I enjoyed watching them create delicious Guyanese and Jamaican food in the kitchen together. My mother, Sharon, is the “go-to” person for cooking at all family events. I admire the passion that my mother has for putting her own spin on traditional Guyanese recipes. The kitchen is her sanctuary and you can taste the love she has for cooking with every bite. My stepfather, Devon, used to receive endless calls from people asking him to make his famous jerk pork. My stepfather wasn’t a “pork eater”, but I was always fascinated by the way he was able to replicate his jerk pork recipe without error.

The book, “The Baker’s Son: My Life in Business” by the former CEO of Golden Krust, Lowell Hawthorne, also deserves a shoutout! The Golden Krust story has been an inspiration to me since the day I learned of how the company was originally formed. Not only is it a rags to riches story of Caribbean immigrants, but it’s my own self-help book when the journey gets rough as a business owner.

Website: www.fusionthymekitchen.com

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