30 Years of Change in Cape Town’s Hospitality and Food Service Sectors: A Supplier's Perspective
As we celebrate 30 years of Kerston Foods, it’s enlightening to look back at the dynamic changes that have shaped Cape Town’s hospitality and food service sectors. From a supplier’s perspective, these changes have influenced not only the types of products we provide but also the way we do business.
1. Evolution of Consumer Preferences
Thirty years ago, the demand was primarily for traditional South African staples. However, as Cape Town evolved into a cosmopolitan city, the palate of its residents and visitors expanded. This shift required us to diversify our product range to include international ingredients and specialty items. Kerston Foods supplies a broad spectrum of products, from Asian spices to Mediterranean delicacies, catering to a more adventurous and varied culinary demand.
2. Embracing Sustainability
The rise of the farm-to-table movement and the emphasis on sustainability have significantly impacted our operations. In the early days, sourcing was largely about availability and cost. Now, there is a strong preference for organic, locally sourced, and ethically produced goods. This shift has required us to build robust relationships with local suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability.
3. Technological Integration
Technology has revolutionised the supply chain in the food service industry. In the 1990s, orders were often placed via phone or fax, and inventory management was a manual process. Today, digital platforms streamline everything from ordering to delivery. Advanced inventory systems allow us to manage stock more efficiently, reducing waste and ensuring we can meet the just-in-time demands of our clients. The adoption of these technologies has enabled us to provide better service and more accurate order fulfilment.
4. Health and Wellness Trends
The growing focus on health and wellness has led to increased demand for healthy, organic, and specialty diet products. This trend has required us to stay ahead of nutritional research and emerging health trends, ensuring our product lines include gluten-free, vegan, and other health-conscious options. Our ability to adapt to these trends quickly has solidified our reputation as a responsive and forward-thinking supplier.
5. Global Challenges and Adaptation
Over the past 30 years, global events such as economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic have posed significant challenges. These events underscored the importance of agility and resilience. During the pandemic, for instance, we had to swiftly adapt to a surge in demand for takeout packaging and home delivery supplies as restaurants pivoted their business models. This adaptability not only helped our clients survive but also reinforced our role as a reliable partner in times of crisis.
6. Moving Forward Together
Kerston Foods’ journey over the past three decades has been one of constant adaptation and innovation. Our commitment to providing high-quality, competitively priced products has remained unwavering, even as we’ve navigated the changing landscape of Cape Town’s hospitality and food service sectors.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue evolving with the industry, embracing new trends, and maintaining our role as a trusted supplier. Our focus on sustainability, technological advancement, and health-conscious offerings positions us to support our clients’ success for many years to come.
Thank you for being an integral part of our story. Together, we will continue to thrive and innovate in Cape Town’s vibrant food service community.
Warm regards,
Richard Kershaw
Managing Director, Kerston Foods
Supplier Highlight
Rialto
Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of every successful business. We believe in building strong partnerships with both our customers and suppliers to achieve this goal. By understanding our customers’ needs and aligning our business strategies with those of our suppliers, we can deliver exceptional products and services.
Rialto has been a valued supply partner to Kerston Foods since our inception. Their commitment to quality and reliable service has been instrumental in our mutual success. Elrina shares her experience in working with Kerston Foods since her time at Rialto below:
Our partnership with Kerston Foods started in 2013 and has evolved from humble beginnings to a partnership that has continued to grow from strength to strength. Starting off with only a few select lines the offering has grown to date by 500%.
What sets Kerston Foods apart from others is that Kerston Foods supplies a niche market that demands premium products, that Rialto supplies.
A notable time that stands out in the history of our partnership is during the Covid pandemic when Rialto took hands with all their clients to assist them in managing their accounts and continue to do business during this very challenging period.
Kerston Foods growth and longevity has affected Rialto as a supplier business. It has opened supply opportunities for products not previously imported or supplied by Rialto.
I see our partnership in the coming years continuing to grow and new opportunities arising daily in the hospitality industry, together we can only grow from strength to strength!
Granoro Pasta Range
Rialto is a well-established company with years of experience in the food service industry and offers a wide variety of authentic Italian and Asian products. Rialto offers a national footprint with an established distribution network, including compliant products with the latest legislation.
The Granoro classic range is of the right thickness, ensures even cooking, is produced with selected semolina and offers excellent toughness. The Granoro Dedicato range is sourced from the best grains in Apulia to offer superior-quality pasta. The Granoro Gluten Free range offers a balanced mix of corn, rice and quinoa flour to ensure colour, flavour and consistency to conventional pasta.
Customer Insights
Cedar Catering
Cedar Catering is renowned for its exceptional culinary experiences, crafted with the finest ingredients. Their dedicated team of chefs delivers a diverse menu that caters to every palate, from corporate gatherings to intimate celebrations.
We are delighted to grow our partnership with Cedar Catering and are excited to share the inspiring story of their journey, as told by Executive Chef/Director, Tarek Davids:
Cedar has been a customer with Kerston since 2018. What has kept us with Kerston Foods is their wide range of goods and competitive pricing.
One of the memorable experiences or interactions we have had with Kerston Foods over the past few years is when I was invited to their warehouse and did a walkthrough of their distribution. I got to meet some of the staff that I have only spoken with over the phone.
Kerston Foods services have evolved over the years, when we started with Kerston, we could only place orders telephonically but since then they have an online platform to place orders which makes life so much easier.
Since choosing Kerston Foods as our supplier, one of Cedar’s biggest milestones has been to be able to place my order online, hassle-free and the ability to quickly do food costings as all prices and weights are available.
We are excited to see Kerston Foods always setting new trends and innovate ways to deliver.
Tarek Davids
Exec Chef / Director
Cedar Catering
Staff Insights
Michael Wafawanaka
At Kerston Foods, continual growth is not just important; it’s fundamental to who we are. We are dedicated to supporting the growth journeys of our staff, recognising that each opportunity for development enhances both the individual and the business. Over the years, we have supported and empowered individuals like Michael Wafawanaka, our Perishable Controller. Michael graciously shares his insights on his transformative time with us.
One of the memories that stands out from me throughout my time with the company is 2015 when we celebrated our 21st Birthday with a family day event for staff.
The company culture has evolved since I joined. When I started with the company in 2012, it felt like a small, energetic start-up where everyone worked closely together and focused on being creative and quick. Now we have grown, and we are a force to be reckoned with. We have implemented various systems to manage more efficiently and keep the consistency of creativity and energy.
Even though we’ve changed in some ways, we still hold on to the same core values. We keep emphasizing teamwork, creativity, and striving for excellence. The supportive and community-focused atmosphere among colleagues is still strong, and we continue to prioritise personal growth and development as we always have.
As our business has evolved, we’ve encountered and continue to tackle challenges that demand forward thinking and proactive measures to remain competitive. One key development has been expanding our fleet to include refrigerated units, ensuring that our stock is delivered in optimal condition.
What sets Kerston Foods apart as we celebrate this significant milestone is that as a company, we offer excellent service to our customers. We always check the quality of our stock before it goes to our customers, maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction and employee development.
One of my fondest memories over the past years with the company is the social event in 2016, Team Building in Grabouw– this was my first team building with the company, and it remains a fond memory.
Upcoming Impact Initiative
Woman's Day Celebration
At Kerston Foods, we take immense pride in celebrating International Women’s Day by honouring the remarkable women who shape and inspire our business. From leadership roles to every corner of our operations, female influences are integral to our success and innovation. On this special day, we highlight their contributions, celebrate their achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where women’s voices and talents continue to thrive. Their dedication and passion drive us forward, and we are grateful for the invaluable impact they make every day. Happy woman’s day!