Wisdom Obeng Nyarko (WON), the manager of the renowned all-male catering and logistics company Menscook, has shared the story behind the brand’s beginnings.
He revealed that Menscook began with only seven boys, including himself and the CEO.
According to WON, the company was initially conceived in 2017 by founder Mr. Patrick Davoro, who was his schoolmate.
“In 2018, the founder had already started the business, but it wasn’t fully established yet. That same year, he reached out to me, saying he couldn’t do it alone and invited me to join. I agreed.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
WON disclosed that he had received a job offer from a more established company at the time, but chose to join Menscook because he wanted to be part of a business where he could contribute meaningfully.
Following his decision to join, the team officially registered the business in 2019, completing all the necessary administrative steps to operate legally.
“When we officially started, we were just seven people. Though the team was small, what kept us going was our passion. We all loved what we did and were committed to making the business succeed.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
Mr. Nyarko also shared why Menscook chose to be an all-male brand.
“We naturally started with men, and over time, we realized this gave us a unique position in a female-dominated market. We wanted to show grooms that they can also cook for their wives and contribute to the kitchen. There’s nothing wrong with men cooking.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
However, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. “Financing was a big challenge. We started without loans or venture capital because banks were not ready to back us,” he noted.
The COVID-19 pandemic also posed a significant threat to their operations. Since most of their income came from event catering, the 2020 lockdowns severely impacted their business. “Post-COVID, the support we got from the Ghana Enterprises Agency helped us a lot to stay afloat,” he acknowledged.
Today, Menscook has grown significantly from its humble beginnings. The original seven have expanded into a larger team, and the company has received several prestigious awards, including the Best Caterer award from the Ghana Event Vendors Association (2019, 2021), the Pulse Food Influencer Award (twice), and the Women’s Choice Award.
“Our growth has been steady. Now we are a number. When I cast my mind back to how it started and where we are today, I just smile.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
However, as the company continues to grow, he said they foresee the need to bring women on board, particularly for administrative and operations roles. “As the company grows, we also need a special place where we will need women. We are also about inclusion. So in the future, we will have women,” he stated.
He clarified that while the core cooking team will remain male, women will be brought in to strengthen the administrative side of the business. “But our chefs will be men,” he added.
Menscook Manager on Misconceptions About Brand
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko addressed widespread misconceptions about the brand’s target audience.
He clarified that Menscook is not an exclusive service reserved for the wealthy.
“Of course, every brand is positioned to target a certain kind of people. But the misconception is that we are overly expensive and unaffordable. That is not true.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
Mr. WON explained that when clients approach them for event catering, the team holds detailed conversations to understand their needs and budget.
“Whenever you have an event, feel free to talk to us. We’re always open for conversations. Our packages start from as low as GH₵200 per head. So, depending on the type of event you’re hosting, we’re ready to tailor a package that suits your budget.”
Wisdom Obeng Nyarko
He reiterated that Menscook’s services are accessible to a wide range of clients, not just the elite. “We are not targeted towards the elite, we welcome conversations with anyone planning an event, and we are committed to providing quality catering solutions for all,” he said.
