Editor's Review

The company established a customer base in over 60 countries. 

Dineshbhai Patel and his wife Savitaben Patel embody the real definition of building wealth from scratch and starting from humble beginnings.

The couple started off in Thika town, Kiambu County where they risked their entire savings and led them to establish a profitable venture in Leicester, UK.

Patel, who was born in Thika around 1941, spent all his earnings on establishing Cofresh Snack Foods, a manufacturer of savoury Indian snacks in Leicester.

The couple co-founded Cofresh in Nairobi in 1965. At that time, they majored in supplying potato crisps to shops and local cinemas.

Their venture expanded and they started receiving orders worth thousands making them extend the supply of potato crisps to other Nairobi satellite towns.

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After saving enough money, the couple decided to move to the UK. 

File image of Dineshbhai Patel and his wife Savitaben Patel. PHOTO | COURTESY

To get them started, Patel and Savitaben invested in a fish and chips shop. The business made them save some more money that later helped them set up a manufacturing hub in their little house, making snacks.

While expanding their customer portfolio, Patel and Savitaben focused on making traditional handmade spicy peanuts and green peas.

The traditional handmade spicy peanuts packed in small pouches became popular with customers and retailers alike. 

Establishing Cofresh

Peanuts and green peas helped Patel and Savitaben register Cofresh which then became a global supplier of authentic spices.

The company established a customer base in over 60 countries. Cofresh's expansion benefited locals employing over 250 people in Leicester.

In 2020, Patel allowed private equity to acquire the company. New managers came with leadership changes to the company.

However, on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Patel passed on at 81.

"A thoroughly humble human being, grounded industrialist, a wise consul, a generous and affectionate man. A passage in time, full of memories, achievements against odds, humility in abundance and profound vivacity for progress. 

A loss to me of a great mentor and revered elder statesman. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Priyesh Patel MBE DL Minesh Patel Savitaben and all the Patel family," one of his family members mourned the businessman.