EPI Q HOSTS
One Year Anniversary Pop Up Sale
In September last year, sisters Shazmin Ismail and Shaheen Waseem graduated from sharing pictures of their food on a Facebook group to opening their own cafe, Epi Q Express Gourmet. Their cafe soon became synonymous with delicious yet affordable street food and built a loyal clientele who frequented it. In order to celebrate a successful year of operations, the sisters will be organising a pop up sale on the 12th of September from 10am - 7pm at 106, Jawatte Road, Colombo 5.
Q TELL US ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR BUSINESS. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?
Being foodies and having tried many varieties of food during our trips overseas, we craved the same food in Colombo. That is how we introduced most of our signature dishes. It was all about street food that we loved. It was the Ice Golas, Crepes (the crispy ones we tried in Malaysia), the Kathi Rolls (in the streets of India) and the authentic flavourful Biryani. We started our business by taking part in street food festivals held at Greenpath by the name “All the Batter”. We served batter based products such as Waffles, Waffle Pizzas and Crepes. Thereafter we realised the brand limited us to selected products. That is when we came to the brand EPI-Q. A name derived from Epic+epicure (As in Being EPIC to the person who takes pleasure in fine food and beverages).
Q HOW HAS THE ONE YEAR BEEN FOR THE RESTAURANT?
It has been a very challenging time. Tried and tested so many ways of getting the ultimate product to the plate. We have been successful in creating unique dishes and be known for them. Business has been improving for us month to month. 2020 has been a testing year for all businesses in Sri Lanka and we have got through the Covid lockdown phase without having to trim down on our operation, which is good.
Q WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT THINGS YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
As a housewife, we just knew how to find ways to cook and get the expected results. Getting into the food & beverage business professionally has taught me how to manage staff, how to work as a team, customer relationship etc. There is more to learn and the best is yet to come.
Q WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
The next few years we will focus on maintaining consistent quality and fine tuning all grey areas to make sure we are ready for expansion to multiple outlets.
Q TELL US ABOUT THE POP UP, WHO ARE THE VENDORS?
The Pop-up is basically held along with celebrating our first year in business. We have partnered with vendors who have skills and are homegrown businesses.
Q WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO HAVE A POP UP?
We primarily organised this event to promote our business and create awareness about startup local businesses. To attract attention to them and showcase the products we all offer. We partnered with vendors who love what they are doing as a business.
Q WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THE EVENT?
Witness creativity and the unique products that will be on offer. They would also have the opportunity of enjoying some good food at our restaurant and enroll for the draw that would give them the opportunity to win products from selected vendors.
We organised this event to promote our business and create awareness about startup local businesses. To attract attention to them and showcase the products we all offer. We partnered with vendors who love what they are doing as a business”