In catering, compliance extends from the ordering and receiving of ingredients to the transportation and handling of food. There are many check points within the process that need to be managed to comply with Occupational Health and Safety. The funding provided by Londvolota was a critical factor in Destiny being able to close the compliance gap and as a result, raise their ability to compete for bigger catering contracts.
Titus Mokoro, Managing Director
As liquid chocolate starts to flow, the dessert queue starts to grow. Several wide-eyed diners nudge their partners closer to the Chocolate Fountain, eager to sample its delights. Watching the diners almost lick their lips with delight, is sign of success for Titus Makoro, Destiny Cuisine’s Managing Director, who is watching in on this private function.
“The catering business is a strange one,” Titus explains. “For the diners it is all about the food, while for the host, they want the event to be remembered. But to get the contract, it is all about compliance. And that is where Destiny has really upped its game with the support of Londvolota.”
In catering, compliance extends from the ordering and receiving of ingredients to the transportation and handling of food. There are many check points within the process that need to be managed to comply with Occupational Health and Safety. The funding provided by Londvolota was a critical factor in Destiny being able to close the compliance gap and as a result, raise their ability to compete for bigger catering contracts.
“That was the start of us reimagining our business,” Titus says. “Over the years we had built up a successful business but we couldn’t achieve scale at a Once we had that compliance we could focus on other areas of the business including reducing the cost of operations through improved efficiencies and competencies by up to 25%. There is also the need to keep abreast of the constant change and innovation in the catering industry. It is a highly competitive environment,” Titus acknowledges.
Destiny’s competitive edge became much sharper with Londvolota’s investment as the financial aid helped in purchasing essential equipment to help increase capacity and improve efficiencies across Destiny’s multiple catering arms, ranging from Corporate and Outside Catering, to Special Events, Vending Solutions, Executive and Management Dining Rooms, and Grocery and Ingredients Supply.
But the COVID crisis has cast a heavy shadow over Destiny.
“Despite the advances made with our new equipment and enhanced process, so many of our clients have put a hold on projects because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has really changed the business plan for the year,” Titus acknowledges. And then he lifts his head and squares his shoulders. “But the Destiny management has met and agreed on how we can turn the challenge into an opportunity. In fact, we are feeling more confident with each day.”
Inspiring the Destiny management is not just their own capacity and attitude, but that a core principle guiding Destiny’s decisions is that they will wish to uplift others who will in turn, seek to uplift others. Apart from the creation of employment opportunities, Destiny is also involved in a number of CSI initiatives and social upliftment programmes via a charitable trust. Their main recipient is the Filadelfia School for the Physically Disabled which is based in Soshunguve, north of Pretoria, where together with the learners they conduct fundraising activities. The team also seeks to re-prepare food that can be provided to needy homes.
For Titus the way forward is clear. Provide delicious food, be compliant, support the community, work hard. And have the right attitude. “It’s all about attitude at the end of the day,” he says. “Business is never easy but with the right principles I believe success will come our way. It’s our Destiny after all,” he smiles.
NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES
NEW CLIENT
FUNCTION PARTICIPATION INCREASED
Mancamane Trading