Meet Ramat Wiley | Spice Curator, cook, and culinary creative.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ramat Wiley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ramat, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being in business for myself before opening my spice shop as a freelance food stylist, I’d say this time was a process of figuring out my evolution. After leaving my last gig as a food stylist and watching the corporation’s employees begin walking out with boxes and PCs, I knew it would be a while before more work would come my way. So I sat. I sat with myself for a while, trying to figure out what would happen next. I began thinking, how can I evolve in food (cause that’s my thing), and what have I always wanted to do that I just haven’t had enough time to do it? Spices! It had always been a place of comfort for me. Whether visiting local shops or during travels, I knew that these were places I always pulled inspiration to cook from, and what if I opened my shop to provide and share ingredients and inspiration to cooks in my way? That’s where the research and journaling began for me as I decided that starting Adun Spice Company is what was next.

What should our readers know about your business?
Adun Spice Company is a spice shop specializing in providing quality ingredients for intentional food. I think what sets us apart is also the thing that I am most proud of. We are a small but mighty shop carrying spices from around the world. We offer ingredients used across all cultural spectrums because if you really think about it, we all use a lot of the same ingredients to cook up our favorite food memories, they just may be called something different. We also carry many hard-to-find spices, blends, heirloom-grown foods, and small-batch artisan pantry goods.

I believe I got here by the grace of God, definitely. Easy, absolutely not. I have a tattoo across my left arm that says, “Dig Deep.” This a motto I kept hearing from one of my favorite culinary instructors as I was preparing to graduate culinary school, and then was the title of my pastor’s next sermon series. Digging deep helped me realize that it was already in me. I had the tools. I took a little bit of what I have learned in life to build what I wanted this business to be. Going away to college to study business gave me the basics. Working in customer service most of my life was the biggest help in knowing how to help people. Having a career as a 911 dispatcher helped me practice patience and be able to multitask while deligating duties. As a food stylist, I learned how to research food and seek quality. It also opened my eyes to the advertising side of things as I decided what I wanted my brand to look like.

What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is that all I share is my story. The name “Adun” means flavor in Yoruba. My dad’s language that he was teaching me before his untimely passing. We give back to our community because that was a quality my mother and I shared. I often think about how selfless she was in her evolution from battling addiction to becoming a social worker. So now I help support culinary entrepreneurs and organizations feeding the people in our city.

Our offerings are things that I cook with, so I don’t offer anything that I can’t provide some insight or share a flavor profile on. All of our spices and pantry goods are all-natural and are free of any anti-caking agents. Our products are offered in glass jars that are always recyclable, and we take back glass spice jars and recycle them locally. There are no plastic shaker lids here because I feel we don’t need more plastic in the world. All other packaging is compostable and/or reusable.

We provide slow foods that require some “work,” so you will find things like whole Tellicherry peppercorns. Don’t worry; we have the mortar and pestles, spice grinders, and peppermills that you will need. I promise, if you do it yourself, you will be rewarded with big fresh flavor.

My grandmother always told me to be a woman of integrity, so I try to put that in everything I put into the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a good one because sharing good things to do in Cleveland is one of my favorite pastimes. So if we start on a Sunday, we are first hitting up South Euclid United Church of Christ, where the Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins is sharing that good word and unboxing God at the same time! Then, we are hitting up my in-laws for a fabulous meal and cocktails as we share stories of our previous week and send good wishes for the week ahead. I hope you are ready because we are headed to United Skates of America to get our roll on.

Monday, we are meeting up with Slow Roll Cleveland to do a massive community bike ride in a neighborhood of the city that may be new to you! It’s a wonderful way to get to know some gorgeous pockets of the city and shout out “Happy Monday!” to all the neighbors wondering why there is a group of about 500 people from all walks of life riding down their street. It’s a pretty sweet feeling.

Tuesday, we hit up La Plaza Supermarket for the best tacos in the city; yes, it’s a grocery store, so we will also grab goodies to make guacamole, chips, and salsa for later.

We make sangria on Wednesday, pack up those chips, guac, and salsa, and hang out at the park for the free concert during Wade Oval Wednesdays. We dance, share hugs, and simply have a good time!

Thursday, we nap! Cause I won’t ever deny a good break! Don’t worry, the city starts to come alive on Thursday, so we will people-watch and have a delicious meal at Zhug by Chef Douglas Katz. One of my favorite places to eat in town.

Friday, we have an early lunch at Korean House, then wander around the markets in Asia Town. Bubble tea and pastries from Koko Bakery are a must! By 4 pm, we are grabbing wine and oysters at Blue Point Grill’s happy hour before we head over to catch some good tunes from the resident DJs at Re:Bar.

Saturday is my market day! So we hit the North Union Farmers Market over at Shaker Square to see what freshly harvested produce is available this week to boost the cooking inspo, then we head across the bridge to The Westside Market to grab more staple ingredients. Fresh-made Ohio City Pasta, artisan jams from The Home Pantry, and definitely some smoked Salmon from Kate’s Fish. We can chill on the observation deck to people-watch and enjoy a freshly made crepe before heading home to cook dinner!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my husband for being my biggest cheerleader and my rock. Supporting me through depression and believing in me and my dreams. Praying for me and with me. I am thankful I get to do life with you.

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to the ladies of my Women’s Encore group at South Euclid United Church of Christ for encouraging me to step out on faith and do it scared. We cried, prayed, laughed, and shared testimonies throughout the pandemic, and you all helped me through a very tough time, a rough one for us all.

To my best friend Shanelle, thank you for giving me tough love and challenging me to show up as the best authentic me. Thank you for believing in me and for saying my name in rooms where access was limited. I value every relationship built and sustained in this season of growth.

To my parents for always, deep down, being my reason why. I hope always to make you proud. To my second set of parents, my in-laws, thank you for loving me as your daughter. Your support and love along this journey is unmatched.

To my team!!!! Valerie, Erica, and Lala. Thank you for holding down the fort! For picking up where I may leave off, reminding me of things, motivating me to continue on, and telling me when to sit down. I am so blessed to have yall in my life.

Website: www.adunspiceco.com

Instagram: @adunspiceco

Facebook: Adun Spice Co.

Image Credits
McKinley Wiley of The Darkroom Company Myself Pat Bennett