When the saying, ‘simplicity is genius’, was coined, it surely had FLORENCE TEYE NARH MAAMLE, also known as ‘Chef Maamle’, as she is affectionately called – a Ghanaian chef, creative entrepreneur, and cultural food advocate in mind, and quite rightly so. For generations to come someday, when the culinary folklore of Ghana will be mentioned, the founder of ‘MK Catering Services’ and the curator of the ‘MK Pop-Up Buffet Experience’ – a concept that blends food, culture, tourism, and storytelling….won’t be forgotten.
If you truly understand the food industry that much, you’d agree with us that the difference between brilliance and basic is that you’ve got to be buzzing — and this lady is truly reaching to touch the skies. A testament to that is her culinary mastery, knowledge, passion, dedication, leadership, consistency, precision, creativity, adaptability and the willingness to learn new things.
Florence grew up in a family rooted in farming and trading. Her grandparents owned a large farm, and she was surrounded by fresh produce from an early age, which made cooking a natural part of her daily life. She also helped her mother trade in groceries such as vegetables, smoked fish, and fruits, giving her early exposure to both food and business. She studied Business in Senior High School and Accounting at the University of Professional Studies.
Growing up, cooking was never part of her script as she had no formal culinary training; her cooking skills were developed through experiences, observation, and years of practice. Her upbringing and business background continued to shape her approach to food, entrepreneurship, and cultural storytelling.
If you’ve met Florence before, you’d understand where her unflinching drive, and professionalism comes from; her cooking journey began before she ever thought of it as a business, because she initially wanted to be an accountant. Cooking was always a passion, so exploring it didn’t feel like work at first to her.
Then during her National Service days, she noticed how difficult it was for her colleagues and other persons to get food during breaks, so she started bringing cooked meals for her colleagues and later prepared freezer-friendly weekend meals, which led to referrals.
After national service, she focused fully on this venture, pitching corporate lunches to managers to save staff time and make mealtime more convenient. What started as a passion and simple solution has grown into the ‘MK Catering Services’, where she combines the love for food with practical solutions that bring people together.
Since starting this venture, she and her team have served over ten companies, from Rig World Solutions, the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, and Quantum LC, et al. They also provide bulk lunches for large-scale events, consistently delivering quality, convenience, and memorable culinary experiences.
As a masterpiece who is helping her clients and customers alike to master their peace through what they consume, she has curated the ‘MK Pop-Up Buffet Experience’ – an avenue where they combine food, culture, tourism, and entertainment. Each buffet is carefully put together to showcase not only Ghanaian flavors but also the cultural heritage, giving guests an unforgettable experience. The response so far has been incredible, and it motivates Florence and her team to continue innovating and elevating their offerings.
Having gone through this path for a while, it is important to come to terms with the contributing factors of Florence’s success, which are, finding ways to stay motivated through creativity, resilience and consistency.
Challenges? Like many young entrepreneurs, she has faced challenges with funding and having people underestimate the potential of a young catering business. Logistic issues such as sourcing for the exact kind of ingredients, managing time, and scaling operations for larger events have tested her patience.
For Florence, her singular focus has always been, win this, here and now — and that mentorship and advice from experienced professionals have guided her through challenges and helped her make strategic decisions; albeit, her business and accounting knowledge has been crucial for planning, budgeting, and scaling her services effectively; plus, networks, referrals, and client relationships have been key resources, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
There is always that ‘hardest part’ in businesses, and this lady who has been moving mountains long before she knew she could, is no stranger to that; yes, loneliness on this journey cannot be winked aside, but hey, she’s great at motivating herself by her very own guiding principles of purpose, and integrity.
For a young lady who pays attention to trends and visibility tactics because they matter in her today’s business sphere, but she doesn’t let them override the core of what she offers; thus, in this new world of social media razzmatazz, Florence has learnt to manage the storm by being strategic, not reactive.
“Family is my foundation, a source of love, support, accountability, and belonging. It grounds me, shapes my values, and supports me through both challenges and successes, serving as the place where values are formed, purpose is nurtured, and resilience is restored.” Florence’s reason for optimism.
