On Wednesday last week, Iris Henries, 39, laid on a buffet for guests for the grand opening -- performed by Hertsmere MP James Clappison.

As well as Afro-Caribbean staples such as dried meats and spices, the Aycliffe Road shop stocks fruits, drinks, plus Indian and Continental ingredients.

Miss Henries, who has four children aged between five and 16, used to run a similar store owned by someone else -- then asked herself: why not go it alone?

As a single mother, she says she knows how hard it is to feed children on a budget, and is determined to pass savings on to her customers at the expense of big profits.

Afro-Caribbean food, she says, is very similar to Indian food, including rice and spices, it is just cooked a different way.

After three years of planning and hard work to get her project off the ground, Miss Henries says business is going very well, serving customers of all ethnic backgrounds.

The shop-owner has lived in Borehamwood for five years and works as a volunteer at Parkside First School where her five-year-old son attends.

She was born in the UK but her family hail from Liberia in west Africa. She inherited a passion for food and cooking from her mother, who ran a restaurant.

Miss Henries is building up her stock line by reacting to the wishes of customers -- who she can also furnish with recipe ideas. Telephone the shop on 0181 953 8045.

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