A new chapter has started for Guyana’s culinary industry with the official opening of the Roots and Flavours Hub at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Cove and John, East Coast Demerara.
This state-of-the-art culinary training facility is expected to equip women with practical skills and create new opportunities within Guyana’s growing food industries.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, highlighted that “the vision is to celebrate the flavours of our heritage and culture through Roots and Flavours, ensuring that Guyanese cuisine finds a place on every table, reaches beyond our borders, and helps develop a vibrant, thriving street food industry.”
She also noted that the facility is expected to promote women’s economic empowerment by providing free training, business incubation, mentorship, and pathways to entrepreneurship.
The hub is expected to preserve Guyana’s rich culinary heritage while encouraging innovation, creating employment and supporting the country’s expanding tourism and hospitality sectors.
The launch also featured a pop-up exhibition where women entrepreneurs displayed their products and shared how ministry-led initiatives have helped strengthen their businesses.
Co-founder of A la Carte, Destiny Hines expressed her optimism about the support being provided to local entrepreneurs.
“I’m really happy to see that these types of initiatives are happening for Guyanese small businesses and young professionals. I’m really proud to know that this is the type of direction they’re taking with the economic drive that Guyana is going in right now.”
Hines noted that her business, A la Carte, focuses on producing healthy baked goods while catering to customers with diverse dietary needs.
A la Cart’e has a very inclusive menu catering to vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free diets.
Owner of Magnificent Enterprise, Debbie Argyle, said it produces scented candles, organic soaps, and agricultural products.
She credited the ministry programme with helping women gain practical skills at no cost.
Argyle said she is grateful for the opportunity to gain valuable, lifelong skills free of charge.
She further noted that “you don’t have to pay for it, so I’m encouraging women out there to come in and sign up and be skilfully trained free of charge to help themselves and their families.”
Roots and Flavours is about celebrating Guyana’s rich cuisine, culture, and traditions while creating new opportunities for people to turn their culinary skills into something bigger.
The opening of the Roots and Flavours Hub is expected to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful enterprises while celebrating Guyana’s unique culinary identity.