Part of my New Years Resolution has happened

When I made my list of new years resolutions at the end of last year for my business, one of my resolutions was to enter my Obe-Ata cooking sauces into more competitions in 2023 without fear. I know I have developed a wonderful product that is as natural as can be and I'm so proud of that. I also know it's been a slow burner because I have refused to add any salt, flavourings or seasoning to the Obe-Ata. Over the years I had been advised to add salt, or seasoning to my Obe-Ata and had been told that if I do this "you will sell more". I was never tempted to commercialise the taste but rather to remain true to what I grew up with & what my Mother taught me. My range of Obe-Ata stands as a natural cooking sauce and I love that because you get to choose what you make with your Obe-Ata.

Hearing what customers make with Obe-Ata further proves to me why I don't need to add any other seasonings or salt for taste. I want you to do it yourself and have creative fun whilst doing it! Yesterday, a customer emailed and said she made vegan Jambalaya with her jar of Medium Obe-Ata, said it was really good and kindly shared the link to the recipe. Jambalaya?! I would never have thought of that and I'll definitely give it a try! Another customer showed me pictures of the Shakshuka he made with Obe-Ata and told me how easy it was to cook with it and how it had just the right level of spice. Another customer told me she made Jollof rice for her Nigerian husband who she says was "gob-smacked" because of how authentic it tasted, (she didn't tell him that she had purchased a jar of Obe-Ata). My partner, who is Polish, cooked his favourite Nigerian dish, Egusi soup (pictured) using Obe-Ata. It was so good my children thought that I was the one who cooked it!

In 2019, I entered my Mild (now renamed Ever So Mild) Obe-Ata into the Free From Food Awards and even though my sauce did not win, it was short listed out of hundreds of other products that had been entered. I felt so proud of this accomplishment, especially making this out of my little kitchen at home. I also felt that I had found a community of food producers that understood the power of less. I took on board their feedback and started making my new (and much improved) Obe-Ata.

I'm pleased to announce that I've entered the Medium strength of Obe-Ata into the Almost Totally Free From category in the Free From Food Awards 2023 since my Obe-Ata is free from all 14 allergens. I don't know what the outcome will be but I am pleased that I have entered and I'll keep you all updated. Fingers crossed!