Page 43 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

I am inspired and humbled every day by the women on our staff.

They are the face of the company.

“My life has changed from being hands on and dietary needs while being beautifully presented
Joint Managing Director, working in all our kitchens, to managing people and within budget.
of Capitol Caterers
and the business side of Capitol Caterers’ daily In order to ensure that the staff are skilled, Capitol
operations,” she explained.
ERRILL KING, joint managing director of Caterers has registered Midlands Hospitality Academy
Capitol Caterers, has had a 36-year career “I am inspired and humbled every day by the women (MHA), which is accredited by the Quality Council for
Min the food industry. “I wake up every day on our staff. Many of them need to be at work by Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and CATHSSETA.
and I am really excited to go to work. Every day is 6am and before leaving home they first tend to their “We used to believe that we needed to be the
full of challenges, deadlines and new experiences,” family needs and then walk and catch buses to get best that we can be. However nowadays, it is more
she says. to work and still serve our clients with a smile! They important to ensure that our staff are upskilled and
are the face of the company.” supported enough to ensure they are the best that
Merrill qualified as a chef through the trainee
programme at the Royal Hotel in Durban. This culinary However, in assessing the role of women in business, they can be, and better than me,” explained Merrill.
background has served her well, providing Merrill Merrill says that she thinks that women’s roles are “The success of a person should not be on how
with a thorough knowledge of food preparation often undermined. “As much as one constantly good you are but on how good your staff are at
and service. Pursuing her passion for excellence on strives for equality, discrimination is still alive and getting the job done. This approach ensures that the
business can run effectively when you are not there
the plate, Merrill founded Blue Strawberry, a high- well. It has been, and still is, a tough struggle for to supervise.”
end catering service to corporate and private clients women to be taken seriously, even though huge
in Durban. On relocating to the KwaZulu-Natal strides have been made in this area.” Life balance
Midlands in 1992, Merrill sold Blue Strawberry and it Consequently, Merrill believes that much of her Merrill says that she lives her life to the absolute
continues to operate with an impeccable reputation professional journey can be attributed to the fullest and states, “If you are not living on the edge
to this day. Merrill served as group executive chef for support of the women in Capitol Caterers. “I believe you are taking up too much space.”
a period of twenty years at Capitol Caterers and was that I am a successful woman in business because She is an avid sportsperson and enjoys spending
appointed joint managing director in 2017. of all the women that I work with. We employ 1496 time in the gym, paddling or running to stay fit and
staff and of that 74% are women with 82% of our
Headquartered in Pietermaritzburg, Capitol Caterers ‘to ensure a flow of endorphins.’
was founded in 1992 by her husband Giles who as management positions being held by women. This A competitive canoeist, Merrill has won several age-
chairman, plays an active role in the business. The shows that women aren’t there just to wash the pots, category gold medals in the Dusi and Fish River
industrial catering company is currently entering its clean the floors and make the odd salad. Women are Marathons as well as a silver medal with partner,
27th year of service and caters for over 100 clients the reason why catering companies such as ours are Sonja Bohnsack, at the World Marathon Canoeing
in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free successful in South Africa.” Championships in Pietermaritzburg in 2017. She
State, Gauteng as well as in Eswatini. Capitol Caterers Merrill added that because women often rely on the hopes to complete her 16th Dusi in 2020.
core business is providing contract catering services support and strength of other women, they have Merrill has also competed in running events
to the education, healthcare, commercial and become collaborative in the workplace. including two Comrades Marathons and five Two
retirement sectors. “A collaborative style of leadership is how I work at Oceans ultra-marathons.

Valuing relationships Capitol Caterers, ensuring input from all divisions Merrill was the first woman to hold the position
when decisions are to be made, which generally
Merrill says that much of her time is spent travelling results in ownership and buy in from everyone.” of president of Canoeing South Africa, which she
to the regional offices to ensure that these operations occupied from 2008-2010. She is a long-serving
are well supported. In addition, she values the Striving for excellence board member of the South African Confederation
relationships that she has developed with her staff Capitol Caterers not only keeps up with food trends of Sport and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).
and she strives to understand their needs and ensure but ensures that all the food that is prepared in Whenever possible, Merrill enjoys relaxing with her
that they are happy. their kitchens is nutritious, fulfils a wide range of husband, their three children and grandson.

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