Juanita's Mexican Kitchen becomes catalyst for 'Cafe Camaraderie'

Losing her job at the start of the pandemic and spending time crafting afternoon tea boxes, Lay'ah Clarke said she saw a "gap in the market" for a pop-up kitchen.

After she lost another job following a degenerative disease diagnosis, the mum-of-two moved to Tyldesley in 2021 and decided to enfuse the pop-up idea with her love for Mexican food.

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Lay'ah had the idea for Juanita’s after making afternoon tea boxes during the pandemic (Image: Juanita’s Mexican Kitchen)

Cooking up burritos, fajitas, and tacos from home, Juanita's Mexican Kitchen quickly began making a name for itself last summer.

This led to the pop-up's official launch at the Tyldesley Christmas Light switch-on in November, with the help of the 'For Tyldesley' community group.

Lay'ah officially launched Juanita's at Tyldesley's Christmas Light switch on (Image: Lay'ah Clarke)

Lay'ah, who is originally from Wales, said: "People seem to love Juanita's and I'm really pleased with the pace of its growth, because I didn't want to take the risk of investing in a commercial unit.

"But as it happened, the pop-up launch led to a different conversation and being asked to breathe new life into a community cafe."

Re-organising Juanita's into a not-for-profit organisation, Lay'ah is using the pop-up's money to invest in Cafe Camaraderie, which will take up space in Tyldesley Startwell Centre on Poplar Street.

Planning to open at the end of January, the cafe will be a "safe space" where struggling families, the vulnerable, elderly, or those with mental health problems can come for a free meal.

Cafe Camaraderie had a soft launch in the community before Christmas (Image: Cafe Camaraderie)

As Lay'ah's degenerative condition means that she often struggles with her mobility, she said she is working on organising a team of volunteers who can provide a consistent service seven days a week.

While Juanita's might take more of a back seat following the launch of Cafe Camaraderie, the pop-up kitchen is planned to return for monthly openings at the community centre, along with Mexican-themed events and fundraisers.

Some more of Lay'ah's Mexican food for Juanita's (Image: Juanita's Mexican Kitchen)

Lay'ah, 43, added: "It's been quite the journey over the last couple of years, and I'm still learning how to manage it all.

"But I have been introduced to some amazing individuals since starting Juanita's, who really have heart for their community.

"I think it's a great thing that those buying from Juanita's will know that their money will be spent on helping to feed struggling families."