My First Client

My First Clients

My first real client, as far as I can remember, was Jamie Proffitt—a woman in Matola. She had stumbled upon a post showcasing my sushi skills on Facebook and was thoroughly impressed. Her desire was to surprise one of her sons with a special birthday dinner at home. The challenge excited me; I had been laying in the cut eagerly waiting for this moment to pop up.

Arriving at her house, I carried my minimal sushi kit. Back then, I relied on whatever kitchen supplies I could find at the client’s place, and i did not have helpers and Sous Chefs as i do now. I set up everything meticulously. For Jammie’s dinner, I decided to prepare an array of sushi delights: rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and tempura. I also sourced fresh produce from a long standing trusted lady at Fajardo bazar, and incorporated imported ingredients like seaweed, rice vinegar, salmon and soy sauce. Additionally, I crafted a special salad based on her suggestion, infusing it with Mozambican flavors—lime juice, chili peppers, and more.

As I worked, the sounds of Jammie and her children chatting and laughing in the living room reached me. Their joy and relaxation made me feel honored to be part of their special day. When the sushi platters were ready, I presented them at the dining table. Their amazement and surprise at the presentation and variety of dishes warmed my heart. They thanked me profusely and even offered me a drink. Politely declining, I emphasized that I wanted them to enjoy their privacy. However, they insisted I stay a while longer, curious about my journey to becoming a sushi chef.

Accepting their gracious invitation, we settled into conversation, sharing life stories, interests, dreams, and the challenges that shaped us. Their discovery of my services on Facebook felt like destiny—a moment when the universe conspired in our favor. To them, suddenly, an alternative to restaurant dining emerged: a personalized in-home sushi experience. To me, the future was smiling with open arms.

During our chat, a surprising connection was revealed: They knew Creg, my former General Manager in Tofo, who now runs Sumi, a vibrant Japanese food haven. And Casey, who managed accounting at Tofo MAR during Creg’s tenure, confirmed my professional abilities right there and then during a phonecall. Trust blossomed as we spoke, weaving a tapestry of shared memories and culinary aspirations. 

I shared my journey from Tofo-Inhambane to Maputo, recounting how I stumbled upon my passion for sushi while working at various hotels and lodges. The challenges of sourcing quality ingredients and suitable equipment in Mozambique that forced me to improvise and adapt. 

We had a great conversation. We laughed, we shared, we connected. I felt like I had made new friends, not just clients. They said they were very impressed by my skills, my creativity, and my personality. They said they would definitely recommend me to their friends and colleagues, and that they would love to have me back for another occasion. They fulfilled all this promises, recommended, and called me back.  

They also gave me a generous tip and a hug. As I left their house, I felt a surge of joy and gratitude. I had just completed my first successful sushi catering gig in Maputo, and I had also built a lasting connection with my clients. I realized that this was more than just a job for me. It was a way of expressing myself, sharing a bit of my culture side, and spreading happiness through food.

After bidding our farewells, I smiled as I hailed a txopela taxi to take me home. Driven by my commitment to perfection, I gained additional clients through referrals from that initial client. My business continued to thrive. Now, alongside in-home dinings and in-home sushi classes, I provide training for general kitchen chefs in the art of sushi-making. Additionally, I organize pop-up events.

Bookings

Would you like me to cater for you? Check my Services, Call on +258 8454 90017 or go straight to my Bookings form and let's plan your next event!

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Updates of my sushi catering events in Maputo can be found on Instagram: @chefstelio