WOMEN’S MONTH PROFILE: Ina Paarman: The Woman Who Brought South Africans Back to the Table
Ina Paarman: A Legacy of Flavour and Family
For more than four decades, Ina Paarman has been part of the rhythm of South African kitchens. From Sunday roasts to midweek suppers and celebratory feasts, her name has become synonymous with the flavours that bring families together. Her products are not just staples on supermarket shelves — they are woven into the very fabric of home life, celebrations, and traditions.
Yet behind the name and the red apron is a woman whose journey began humbly, in a converted garage in 1982. Armed with a passion for food and nutrition, Ina opened a cookery school from home after resigning from her position as senior lecturer at Cape Technikon. With no advertising budget, her sons delivered flyers on bicycles, spreading word of their mother’s classes. Soon, the Paarman home was alive with the aromas of stews, sauces, and baked goods, along with Ina’s trademark warmth.
That humble cookery school was the seed of Paarman Foods, today a proudly independent, family-run business that exports to 32 countries — yet remains deeply rooted in South African kitchens.
A Journey of Passion and Persistence
Ina trained as a Home Economics teacher, but her career has always been about more than recipes — it has been about enriching lives through food. “Good nutrition has always been important,” she says, reflecting on the inspiration that set her on her path.
Her true turning point, the “wow moment,” came when she left academia to follow her dream: “I resigned as senior lecturer at the Cape Technikon and started my own little cookery school from home.” It was a risk, but one that paid off, laying the foundation for a national brand.
Behind the business was a partnership of family. Her late husband, Ted, invested his retirement savings into the vision, and her son Graham stepped in with business acumen. “You can cook, and I can count,” he famously told her — words that shaped the Paarman legacy. Today, Graham leads the company as Managing Director, continuing the values Ina instilled.
Leadership, Teamwork, and Being a Woman in the Industry
Taking on a leadership role came naturally to Ina, but she credits success to teamwork. “Leadership in my book means setting an example of hard work, honesty, fairness and progressive thinking.”
On being a woman in the food manufacturing industry, Ina is pragmatic. “The first thing is to realise that it is always the ‘team’ that leads to success. One person, in my case a woman, may play a creative role but lack the financial and business skills. My late husband Ted and son Graham played a huge role in the success of our business.”
For Ina, merit comes before gender: “I am not a feminist, the best person for the job is the right person. Everything is done on merit.”
The Paarman Philosophy: Quality Above All
Convenience should never come at the expense of quality — a philosophy Ina has championed from the beginning. In Paarman Foods’ Diep River factory, vegetables are still slow-roasted in wood-burning ovens, stocks are crafted the traditional way, and ingredients are hand-sorted.
Her perfectionist streak is legendary. She tested her first chocolate cake mix 120 times before being satisfied. “When people bake, they want to feel proud of the result. A cake that doesn’t turn out can be disheartening. I wanted cakes that would be rich, moist for days, and reliable every time.”
That spirit of care is why the Paarman brand resonates so deeply with generations of South Africans — it’s not just about flavour, it’s about trust.
Women’s Month Reflections
For Ina, Women’s Month is about recognising the many roles women play. “Firstly as caring mothers, good partners who create healthy family lives. Remember it takes time and patience to grow a business. I don’t know of a ‘quick fix’!”
Her advice to young women aspiring to succeed in the food industry is clear: “The food industry is a hard and demanding one. One has to have stamina, knowledge in your field, and build a strong team around you.”
A Legacy Rooted in Family and Community
Ina Paarman’s story is not only about building a brand — it is about building trust, inspiring home cooks, and proving that passion paired with persistence can create something enduring. From garage cookery classes to a global brand, her legacy is proof that food has the power to bring people together.
Celebrate Women’s Month with Ina Paarman & @theguide_online
✨ Celebrate Women’s Month with Ina Paarman & @theguide_online ✨
We’re marking Women’s Month with an exciting competition in partnership with Ina Paarman’s Kitchen!
👉 How to enter:
- Follow @theguide_online and @inapaarmankitchen on Instagram.
- Comment below with your favourite Ina Paarman recipe and the product you love most from the range — whether it’s for a Sunday roast, a midweek pasta, or that chocolate cake everyone asks for.
- Tag someone you’d love to cook for using the hashtag #CookingWithIna.
📦 Prize: A curated Ina Paarman’s Kitchen Hamper, filled with pantry favourites to make every meal memorable.
This Women’s Month, we celebrate Ina Paarman — a woman whose passion has seasoned South African kitchens for more than 40 years, reminding us that food is never just about eating; it is about love, family, and legacy.
