Barely two weeks after clinching the title of Consumer Products Start-up of the Year (Scotland) at the 2025 UK Regional StartUp Awards, Temitope Margaret Ajayi-Salami, Founder and CEO of AYT Foods Ltd, has been announced as a Scotland Finalist for Retail Entrepreneur of the Year at the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards & Community, one of the most respected recognitions for business leadership in the UK.
This back-to-back recognition represents more than just personal success. For Ajayi-Salami, it is a testament to the resilience, purpose, and community spirit that has defined her entrepreneurial journey.
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“This journey hasn’t been easy. No big funding. No perfect timing. Just me showing up, building AYT Foods Ltd from scratch, and figuring things out along the way,” she shared in a deeply personal note following the announcement.
“This recognition is personal. It’s for the late nights, the early mornings, the risks, and the deep belief that people like me belong in the room too. Thank you to every single person who’s supported this vision.”
Founded in Fife, Scotland, AYT Foods Ltd emerged from a simple but urgent need, to make African and Caribbean groceries accessible to residents who often travelled long distances to find familiar products. What started as a modest initiative born out of necessity has now become a thriving retail space and community hub, proudly serving as Scotland’s first African-Caribbean grocery store.
The store’s rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. Winning the regional title at the UK StartUp Awards and now being shortlisted for a national entrepreneurship award signals the growing influence of AYT Foods in the UK’s retail and cultural landscape.
Beyond groceries, AYT Foods has become a symbol of representation, identity, and inclusion. With shelves stocked with vibrant spices, tropical produce, and heritage staples, the store connects people to their cultural roots while embracing diversity. It has also extended its impact through partnerships with food banks, cultural organisations, and grassroots projects, becoming a vital part of the local ecosystem.
Ajayi-Salami, a passionate cultural advocate, has consistently emphasized that AYT Foods is more than just a business.
“AYT Foods is a movement. It’s a testament to the strength of community, the importance of representation, and the power of staying connected to our roots,” she said. “This award is not just for us; it’s for everyone who walked through our doors, believed in our mission, and helped us grow.”
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, often referred to as the “Grammys of Entrepreneurship,” celebrate the stories of trailblazing founders who are building businesses with heart and purpose. Being named a finalist positions Ajayi-Salami among the UK’s most inspiring retail innovators and it sets the stage for more national visibility and opportunities.
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As AYT Foods heads into the final stages of both award journeys, its mission remains clear: to serve, uplift, and connect communities through food, culture, and shared experience.
“We are just getting started,” Ajayi-Salami affirms. “Here’s to more growth, more impact, and more reasons to celebrate.”
For her customers, supporters, and the broader African-Caribbean diaspora in Scotland and beyond, this is not just a milestone — it’s a powerful reminder that with purpose, grit, and belief, anything is possible.
