A shut entertainment industry saw many creative people exploring other business and creative options. Local singer/songwriter Shumba Mahluli decided to explore his passion for the food industry by starting his own line of cocktail-flavoured ice creams.
It is not only to his credit that Captain Munch cocktail cups are now on the shelves of pharmacy chain Superpharm and Presto Stores. Fellow singer Abdiel Matamora is his business partner in the venture.
Although he is a musician, Shumba has always had an interest in the food and beverage industry. He was doing a diploma at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) before it closed.
He has also worked as a bartender for three-four years over different periods.
It all started when the duo decided – given the slow pace of work in the entertainment sector during the pandemic – they needed to do something else to generate income.
They began selling desserts like brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookies and cream-cheese doughnuts with Oreos and strawberries. This started in June 2020.
Later that year, Shumba and Abdiel decided they also wanted to produce ice cream. But they did not want to do the traditional flavours.
[caption id="attachment_926984" align="alignnone" width="768"] Singer/songwriter Shumba Mahluli and fellow singer Badiel Matamora have started their line of cocktail-flavoured ice creams called Captain Munch cocktail munch. -[/caption]
“We were brainstorming and thinking, ‘How can we turn this ice cream into something more commercial?’
“We started to think along the lines of flavours. We looked at what was out there already and how we could come with flavouring that is different. That is when we started to think about the concept of rum and raisin ice cream. That is probably the only mainstream alcohol-flavour where ice cream is concerned,” Shumba said.
That was where they got the idea of making cocktail-flavoured ice creams. Strawberry daiquiri, pina colada and mudslide-flavoured Captain Munch ice creams are currently sitting on SuperPharm and Presto shelves.
When they first started they were selling for themselves and did not have the necessary licences to be on shelves.
They then hired graphic designers to create the logo and packaging. Shumba said they also bought containers and labelled them themselves.
“From there we started retailing for ourselves. But as much as we were retailing, we understood that the best place to be in is on a wholesale level.”
They researched what was needed to get the product on shelves.
“So I went to Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division and got that information. We had to have our product tested at the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (Cariri).
“Based on what type of product you have, they tell you what kinds of tests are required. That took a couple of weeks, honestly.”
Shumba and Abdiel also sourced investors for the product. But the duo also reinvested the money made from sale
