For nearly a decade, Maxwell Erwin Hussain has been serving up delicious food through Rusty’s Kitchen, a small catering business that’s found a consistent and supportive home at the Garden City Market in Raiwaqa.
Hussain says Rusty’s Kitchen has been a regular feature at the market for the past two years, and business has been steadily growing.
He says the business usually works with 10 to 15 customers weekly, but on market days, they would get more as people come back from church.
Among their most popular treats at the Garden City Market are their Oreo brownies, which consistently sell out first, going for just $4 a slice.
More than just a side hustle, Hussain says the market stall plays an important role in supporting Rusty’s Kitchen between catering jobs and private orders.
He says it “fills in the gaps in between orders and gigs,” and thanks to the steady support from market customers, the business has achieved major milestones, including securing a vehicle for the business — making deliveries and event catering more efficient.
Looking back on their journey, Hussain also shares a message of resilience for other small business owners and entrepreneurs: to never give up, and just roll with the punches.
