Arlene Eaton loves to cook

Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

For 20 years, Arlene Eaton served as a flight attendant. When she left the job in 1994 at age 40, no one would hire her. So she began doing what she loved - making pastries.

Eaton said she loves to cook and her parents, Joseph and Lucille Williams, insisted that she and her two sisters learn how to do so. Therefore, her passion for the culinary arts grew, leading her to do home economics at St Andrew Technical High School. That was followed by culinary courses at the University of Technology and more recently pastry, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the Culinary Institute of America.

She recalled that her talent was evident while in high school because she would go home and attempt to make everything she learnt in class. In addition, she would bake every Saturday. Consequently, when she could not find a job she began doing something that would bring her happiness, plus becoming her own boss.

Supplied schools

Initially, she made pastries and supplied schools.

"After a while, people began asking me to cater for coffee breaks, seminars, and cocktail parties, so I gradually branched out into catering," said Eaton.

After getting roped into the catering business full force, her company, Casual Gourmet, was born in April of last year. She loves what she does, but it has its fair share of challenges.

"The hours are long and you have to work very hard to meet the demand of customers."

Eaton is comforted when a client enjoys her dishes and gives good feedback. Unlike working for someone, being your own boss has its ups and downs. Eaton said the hard part is that you have to work to pay yourself and you are not guaranteed a salary at the end of the month. However, she gets to choose her hours and work at her own pace. In addition, she can take vacation whenever she wants.

Currently, she has two full-time staff but when she has a job that requires more help, she uses contract workers. She told Food that her future plan is to expand the business and hopefully relocate to a bigger space.

The businesswoman said things had been really slow, which may be as a result of the ongoing economic downturn. But she is still hopeful that things would pick up.

Despite the challenges, Eaton was happy to be doing something she loved and her family and friends cannot get enough of her food. One of her close friends told Food during the interview that once she heard that Eaton was cooking salmon, she had to go over to get some of the scrumptious treat.

To get in touch with Eaton call924-4672 or email: casualgourmet@hotmail.com