How this year’s lockdowns helped Northampton-based Greek street food business to grow

A Northampton-based Greek catering business has managed to turn this year into a positive by adapting to changing times.

My Meze BBQ, which was set up around three years ago, mainly catered at private events until the first coronavirus lockdown hit.

Co-founder, Justin Vanezi from Boughton, set up the business with a friend, both of whom have Cypriot heritage, after he attended a number of weddings and thought the food was all similar.

To offer more choice for weddings and other private events, Justin set up the mobile catering company serving authentic Greek food, but when the pandemic hit and events were cancelled, he had to adapt quickly.

The 37-year-old, who works at Barclaycard, said: “There was nothing in Northampton like this so I went for it and started providing food for mainly private events.

“When events started to get cancelled we had to adapt and we started two things.

“We started takeaways where I made the food in my house and then did pop ups or a delivery service. It was crazy but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

“But the biggest success was the DIY kits. I’d always thought about doing this and then lockdown gave me the opportunity to do it.”

Similarly to The Dough Dept. - run by a friend of Justin’s - My Meze BBQ started selling packs including all the ingredients needed for customers to make their own gyros, including Justin’s homemade marinade, special pitta breads that cannot be bought in supermarkets and fresh fruit, vegetables and garnishes.

The kits proved extremely popular and across both lockdowns around 800 were sold.

Although this year has not been as profitable as previous ones, Justin says the kits have kept the small business going through an otherwise difficult year.

Justin added: “It was really amazing and lockdown was really busy.

“The kits gave people the opportunity to cook on the BBQ in the summer, but they can also be used inside in the winter.

“All customers have to do is add their meat or meat substitute and then they can do what they like with it all.

“I think people wanted to try the food but we didn’t do many public events so this was a good opportunity for them.

“People also told us they if weren’t able to go on holiday to Greece they would order from us instead.

“That was the humblest thing for us; the fact that we could cheer them up in some way.”

Looking to the future, Justin will continue to create and deliver the DIY kits once a month and also intends to attend more public events once they are back up and running.

Search My Meze BBQ on Facebook or Instagram from more information.

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