Mr H.A.Jayasiri Managing Partner |
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The catering industry today has become a lucrative business, with so many catering services mushrooming throughout the country one would think that customers have an abundant number of choices to choose from. Over the years however it is only a handful of catering businesses that have been able to deliver good quality services and survive. For JU Caterers food has become a passion and servicing their customers with a personalized customer service has become their key ingredient to success. The Sunday Times spoke to Ms. Udumbara Jayasiri, the Co Founder of JU Caterers and her son Mr. Gayan Hadinnapola to find out more about their business.
"We were among the very few catering businesses to be established in the year 1974. I had no idea to join the private catering industry at that time, but was forced to do it for one of my uncle's, who asked me to cater for 200 people for his homecoming. At this time catering to 200 people was a big challenge. To add to my difficulty my uncle had requested a mixed buffet of western and eastern menus. I had at that time just returned from the UK and agreed to my uncle's request with great hopes that the head cook who helped me for my own wedding would assist me. Unfortunately however he could not come as at that time he was taken ill and hospitalized.
Ms. Udumbara Jayasiri, the Co Founder of JU Caterers |
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I did not let this discourage me and with the greatest difficulty hired some cooks; my husband also came to my rescue and provided his support. I had a colour combination of orange and white and this was what I used throughout for my catering services. Since it was my first attempt at catering I had to do everything from scratch, which consisted of buying the ingredients to designing the waiters' costumes. The homecoming function turned out to be great success, and I got many compliments for my catering. I still recall a remark an old gentlemen who was one of the guests at the wedding made. He said to me that mine was the best buffet that he had after the one he had had on a ship during Queen Elizabeth's visit to Sri Lanka", recalls Ms. Jayasiri.
After this there has been no looking back for Ms, Jayasiri, who was dragged into the catering business mainly due to her exceptional catering skills, which was growing immensely by word of mouth. In the year 1979 the business was registered with her husband's and her initials given for the name. Ms. Jayasiri learnt the art of catering, at the Claremont School, run by Mrs. Clare Caspersz, and says that Mrs. Caspersz was her mentor and guiding light. As the business was growing popular under the name 'Udumbara', Ms, Jayasiri later added the Udumbara logo to their business name to avoid confusion. Together with the help of her husband JU Caterers gradually progressed to become the empire it is today. This family run business has also provided many job opportunities especially for the villages in Ms Jayasiri's hometown.
"Currently we have over 80 permanent staff members working for us, and most of them have been with me from the inception of the business itself. My staff is very dedicated and reliable and in turn we also look after them well. Our catering services are not limited to Colombo but we provide an island wide service. We offer all types of food menus ranging from traditional to western cuisine. We also work very closely with other partner companies, which include The Marquee Company Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. (Headed by Mr. Gerry Jayasinghe) and Nandana Furnitures, when organizing events.
JU Caterers services a wide clientele, which includes Presidents, Prime Ministers, corporate companies, embassies and high commissions to the average customer. JU caterers catered for the President's 2nd year anniversary celebrations at Katharagama Kirivehera for 1000 priests. JU Caterers have also catered for almsgivings for over 2000 people and always cater to the annual get together for the Food City staff which numbers well over 5000 and have never had any complaints.
Mr. Gayan Hadinnapola, from his young days took a keen interest in the family business and belongs to the second generation, in line to take over the family legacy. Having followed a degree on Hospitality and Marketing in the UK, he now joins his parents in taking the family business forward. Commenting on the stringent standards the business adheres to in terms of quality he said, "In the catering business quality is what matters always. "Today's Sri Lankans have become very advanced when it comes to food and dining out. This is why we always try to create novel themes when it comes to planning out catering for weddings and birthday parties etc. In our business we always focus on maintaining the same taste, standards and quality. Therefore we are not too concerned on trying to expand but focus mainly on maintaining our quality and personalized touch."
With so many years of experience and expertise in the field, JU Caterers have created their name in the industry as one of the pioneers in private catering, which never compromises and maintains the same standards in terms of quality and value and this is why the business has become stronger over the years and will continue to be so for the generations to come.
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