Bonaire) Demanding Taste

 Ever tasted those fine delicious oysters on Bonaire, or had your milk in your already excellent Illy cappuccino just perfectly frothed up? If the answer is a very satisfied yes, then you are blessed with a refined taste, a passion for really good food, and have had the pleasure and privilege to go to one of the restaurants that serves the high-end quality products of Canarbo Epicurean Market, Bonaire’s one and only purveyor of epicurean foodstuffs to restaurants. 


The Company
Canarbo is a division of Blue Water Development (LLC) Bonaire. It is a company that has its roots in real estate, and was originally founded by the Bonairean Indira Charles in 2006. Back then Indira was mainly in the business of property management looking after houses of specific customers, and friends. The total turnaround happened when Indira met the Canadian Brian Battah in 2012. Head over heels with each other, they both decided to follow a path that was destined to bring Brian to Bonaire. On one of Indira’s trips to visit with Brian in Canada, her brother Arturo Charles, an already experienced and successful supplier in the Bonairean food industry, asked if it was possible to find a producer of fresh Canadian salmon to export to Bonaire. Brian, while still working as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry in Canada, used his broad network of customers to help him source out fish and seafood suppliers. Seeing a great opportunity, he was willing to contribute, and help the company grow albeit from a distance. And develop it did. By 2013 with Brian moving to Bonaire full time, a separate import branch was established, that not only imported the best salmon out of Maritime Canada, but also the finest oysters, and lobster. In 2015 Blue Water Development opened a second import business in Aruba, and with Aruba, Canarbo Epicurean Market was definitely alive and kicking.

“It enables Bonairean restaurants to broaden their horizons”

True Entrepreneurship
Canarbo, acting on a request from one of the better restaurants on Bonaire, was asked if they could help them to import weekly fresh goods out of Holland. Indira and Brian had already noticed that many restaurants and chefs not only had difficulties with local supplies but were basically forced to buy the same products as their colleagues in other restaurants. The reality at the time was limited choice, and no options for tailor-made food products, or special wishes. Obviously, this impeded the potential of restaurants on Bonaire to specialize or become more exquisite. As a result both Indira and Brian, started selling the idea suggesting to the all restaurant owners that if they were willing to pay more, in return they would be delivered weekly guaranteed fresh and quality goods on demand and at their doorstep. It took many visits, and handing out a fortune of free samples, before convincing the owners and chefs of the advantages and endless possibilities of this special and personalized service that was being offered to them. Eventually the couple’s time, investment, and efforts finally paid off. The vision of one restaurant and the way the company responded to the need in combination with time, patience, and perseverance made the others gradually follow suit.

Secrets to Success
One of the secrets to their growing success is the continuity of quality of service and product. This is rooted in the way Canarbo organizes its supply chain. By procuring their seafood directly from the very best suppliers in Maritime Canada, their great tasting Alberta beef from a meat processor in Montreal they live up to their motto ‘From the Source to your Door’ in no time. Immediately after being bought, their epicurean goods depart from Montreal airport with KLM Cargo, and arrive in Bonaire via an overnight stay in Amsterdam. Alternatively, from the Netherlands, a skilled and experienced tradesman, visits farmers to inspect and buy fresh products on a Wednesday and by Thursday evening the goods arrive by flight in Bonaire. This timeline permits Canarbo to offer the chefs on the island the most exquisite top-notch certified quality products of their choosing. According to the couple, the specialized service, with guaranteed deliveries, is a true commitment towards the betterment of the restaurant and the culinary scene on Bonaire. “It enables Bonairean restaurants to broaden their horizons, and upscale their menus, all the while permitting the restaurants to offer a food experience like none other”, Brian states. Indira and Brian call it their hands on service, and they try to keep a very close relationship with all of their clients. “It is all about that personal touch, being there for your clients, and really helping them out as best as possible, whatever their needs”, they explain.

This also means that if one of the chefs suddenly discovers that he has run out of a certain product last minute, Brian or Indira receive a call or app. Whether it’s 7.00 or 11.00 pm, they will take care of it immediately. Although this extraordinary service and delivery isn’t free of charge, it really filled a void.Expansion and new Products

In order to be able to grow, and continue to improve their business model, the couple approached microfinancier Qredits. After Brian and Indira talked with the business advisor of Qredits Bonaire and sent in the requested paperwork, they could execute their business plan within two to three weeks. “It all went very fast”, Indira tells delighted over the service and the way Qredits handled their application for a loan. “They really do help you out.” In preparation for the new high season to come, it is all hands on deck, because they have to get ready and plan for the big launch of two new projects starting August 2018. “It’s hard work, almost 24/7, but it is our way to help Bonaire get to the culinary top of the food chain in the Dutch Caribbean”, Indira says proudly. 

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