Against All Odds! Table Talks with AnnMarie Rambally

The road to success, especially in the food arena, is no simple task but with hard work, focus and belief in oneself AnnMarie Rambally against all odds become a successful female entrepreneur. Annie was born into the world of cooking being surrounded by talented cooks like grandmother and mother who passed their skills and knowledge on cooking to her. Propa Eats sat down with Annie for our Table Talks series to learn more about Annie on her passion for food and her journey as a single parent entrepreneur.

” The only person that can stop you from being successful is YOU. Stand tall and proud, persevere and make your dreams a reality.”

Q: Tell us about yourself?

A: My Name is AnnMarie Rambally and single mom of 2 sons and a self-taught cook who turned my passion into a small catering business called Annie’s Culinary Cuisine Ltd, to support my family.

Q: How did you learn to cook?

A: I’ve been cooking since I was 12 . My mom and Grandmother showed me how to do Local and curry dishes. Also, as a Hindu, I have perfected the art of eggless baking. I provide everything from Appetizers to Desserts and everything in between. I pride myself in being able to cook all types of foods. My style of cooking is using local ingredients, no additives or preservatives. As they say “Fresh is Best!”

Q: So if we opened your fridge right now, what would we find?

A: Eggs, bread, fruit and some stale food haha!

Q: Name a dish you always wanted to try but haven’t had a chance to make yet?

A: Turducken

Q: What for you makes a good restaurant dining experience?

A: Three keys to a good dining experience: ambience, service and good food.

Q: What are you working on at present?

A:Currently, I am working on getting a few of my favourites on the shelves and freezers of supermarkets locally.

Q: What’s your favourite dish to make?

A: Crab stuffed Red Snapper

Q: You can invite three people over for dinner, dead or alive. Who are they?

A: My Grandmother (deceased), my mom and Alton Brown

Q: What are some of your treasured milestones thus far?

A: Personal milestones thus far will be raising two sons on my own that have topped every major exam from SEA to UWI. Their success is my success and it goes to show that single parents can raise extraordinary children despite the challenges of life. In terms of my career, it would definitely be winning 1st Prize in a Pastelle Competition last August with one of my own recipes, placing 2nd in 2 other food competitions and being a Finalist at Angostura’s Bitter Rivals.

Q: Why do you do what you do?

A: As long as I can remember I’ve always been interested in cooking. It’s definitely an intense passion of mine and people should do what they love in life. You know the saying, “When you do what you love you never work a day in your life.“ Also, I’m a single parent and bills need to be paid.

Q: What is keeping you excited?

A: What’s keeping me excited is my ability to create new dishes. I love being different so I put that into my food. To see or hear my clients comment on those items are all the excitement/motivation I need to go on.

Q: What is your dream for the future?

A: Having things like my special pepper sauce, seasoning and curry mix in supermarkets shelves locally and internationally

Q: What is your ultimate goal or biggest dream for your future?

A: My ultimate goal will be for people to hear the name “Annie “ and know who I am. That my food continues to speak for itself.

Q: Do you have any advice for women who may want to follow in your path?

A: As women, we are the backbone of a family. We have the power to make or break that said family. As an independent woman/single parent. Be strong, have faith in God and work hard for with hard work and sacrifice we can accomplish anything we want in life. Be that pillar of strength and determination your children learn from. The only person that can stop you from being successful is YOU. Stand tall and proud, persevere and make your dreams a reality. I’m not saying it’s an easy road but trust me when I say it will be all worth it. I look back at where I was and where I am today and I’m proud that I did it all on my own.