FINALIST FOR THE CARIBBEAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - World class
published: Wednesday | September 24, 2003
Woodrow Mitchell sees success. - File
Woodrow Mitchell
Walkerswood Caribbean
Foods Limited
BORN IN Jamaica, Woodrow Mitchell was planning to study sciences before a vehicular accident left him paralysed from the waist down at 23 years of age. Forced to leave his job, he turned to doing survey drawings. Woodrow later joined Walkers-wood, a company created by the Walkerswood community council in an effort to create jobs in the area.
Under Woodrow's direction, Walkerswood began selling jerk pork to supermarkets, bars and restaurants in the 1970s. It has since expanded to produce a wide range of seasonings, spices, sauces and preserves, as well as opening a restaurant in London, England and publishing a cookbook. The company buys produce from local farmers and uses a combination of manual labour and machines to cut, crush and mix the raw material into a product that is completely Jamaican. Walkerswood's products are sold in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, the Cayman Islands and Belize as well as the United States, Canada, England, Germany and Denmark.
With 13 joint-owners, the company plans to erect a state-of-the-art factory and has created the feeling of a close, family style business structure in the hilly, rural region of Walkerswood.
