Helen and Paul Okpokowuruk: Bringing Nigerian Cuisine to Tennessee

Helen and Paul Okpokowuruk, Nigerian immigrants in Johnson City, Tennessee, have launched Royal Red Stew, a line of West African-inspired sauces. Their enterprise aims to introduce authentic flavors to the Southern Appalachian community, leveraging their engineering backgrounds and culinary heritage. The products have gained popularity, especially through a partnership with Food City, enhancing accessibility to Nigerian cuisine in the region.

The culinary essence of Nigerian cuisine is gaining traction in East Tennessee, attributed to the innovative efforts of Helen and Paul Okpokowuruk. This couple, originally from Nigeria and now residing in Johnson City, has introduced Royal Red Stew, a notably aromatic red sauce, to regional store shelves. Graduates in engineering fields, their professional journey led them to significant roles with Procter & Gamble and Frito-Lay before delving into the food industry.

As they approach retirement, Helen and Paul decided to share traditional Nigerian cooking with their Southern Appalachian neighbors through Royal Red Stew. Helen reminisced about her mother’s preparation methods, stating, “The taste is pretty close to how my mom made it.” Their meticulous process takes about seven hours to create one batch of this slow-cooked, tomato-based stew, aimed at simplifying the experience of Nigerian cuisine for consumers.

The cooking operations for Royal Red Stew commence in Unicoi at Mountain Harvest Kitchen, a food business incubator that the Okpokowuruks regard as an ideal setup for their production. Presently, the product line boasts five flavors, which they plan to expand, ranging from mild to extremely spicy. Notably, their curry flavor has emerged as a best seller, distinguished by its sweet profile, prompting consumer requests for a spicier variant.

During a visit to Mountain Harvest Kitchen, Helen showcased an array of dishes including Nigerian beef stew, shrimp in red sauce, and jollof rice, a staple dish in West African festivities. “Jollof rice is part of every celebration in West Africa,” Helen remarked, emphasizing its cultural significance and the competitive spirit regarding its origin.

Food has always been integral to Helen’s life, inspired by her mother, who was a dietitian and restaurateur in Nigeria. This familial influence led Helen and Paul, parents of five, to explore establishing a food business once their youngest children were approaching independence. Initially, they targeted African specialty shops and participated in various festivals.

A pivotal moment occurred at the Pick Tennessee Products convention when Steve Smith, the CEO of Food City, discovered their products. Following his endorsement, Royal Red Stew became available in all Food City locations across multiple states. Paul articulated their gratitude, stating, “We’re a success because Food City opened its doors to us.” Helen expressed fulfillment in spreading joy through their food, noting how pleased customers react, saying, “People dance after they taste our products.”

In summary, Helen and Paul Okpokowuruk’s journey from Nigeria to Northeast Tennessee has culminated in a thriving food business that brings authentic West African flavors to local consumers. By producing Royal Red Stew, they not only share their culinary heritage but also contribute to the regional food landscape. Their collaboration with Food City has been instrumental in their success, allowing them to reach a broader audience and enrich the dining experiences of many.

Original Source: www.timesnews.net