Cracking a nut: Book review
T
he stereotype of poor customer service within African Caribbean cook shop businesses is an aged old stereotype since the 1990s when BBC comedy,‘the Real McCoy’, aired the sketch Misery Café in which the customer tries to buy ackee ‘n’ saltfish with two dumplings and is scolded for his audacity to expect what is standard customer service. Cracking A Nut: Customer Service in the African Caribbean Business, written by Yvonne Witter, lifts the lid on the underlying issues and introduces the idea that ‘service vs servitude’ may be at the heart of the matter. In support of community wealth building, she exposes serious issues and uncovers the butt of jokes and ridicule. Yvonne believes that customers are important to any business and losing income affects wealth building across the community. In the book, written using the storytelling format, she demystifies business processes in an entertaining and informative manner. Aimed at the budding entrepreneur or those already in business, the book provides valuable technical business
16 African & Caribbean Food Guide
information especially for cafe owners, set within a love story, a tale of family values and community cohesion. “Cracking A Nut: ‘Customer Service in the African Caribbean Business’ will have readers
chuckling and reminiscing as they gain new insights through the characters, Paul and Bola as they discover the difference between poor service and great service as they set up ‘Boyzy Bistro’.” Explains: Yvonne. n
