Kenyan Mother and Daughter Running Successful Restaurant in the US
Caroline Gitonga has achieved her entrepreneurial goals by creating a successful restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia.
In an interview, Caroline revealed that she quit her job at the hospitality firm Double Tree after two decades of employment to establish African Soulfood with the help of her daughter Tracy. The concept originated from various catering businesses Gitonga served. Before launching into the sector, Caroline analysed and found a niche to open a restaurant that served African cuisines.
"Based on the numerous enquiries I received from Kenyan churches here and other events, I felt the need to open a business. It took us six months to renovate the place and launch it," she stated.
She disclosed gaining inspiration from cooks who had mastered the techniques of Western Cuisine, which included dishes such as beef brisket, egusi fufu, cassava leaf and grilled lamb. As for East African dishes, her restaurant specializes in pilau, githeri, mukimo, fish and other Kenyan specialities. Caroline emphasized that the key to success in business is to remain resilient and strong-willed even in the face of challenges. He urges Kenyans breaking boundaries in the Diaspora to dedicate enough time and sufficient resources to becoming successful.
"Anything is possible but you need to have the desire. Keep working on it on a daily basis and never stop pushing further and wanting better for yourself and for those around you," she said.
She encouraged Kenyans abroad and those pursuing the coveted American dream to persevere in bringing their visions to life. The eatery has welcomed noteworthy figures such as Africa's swiftest athlete Ferdinand Omanyala, renowned music group Sauti Sol, and singer David Mathenge alias Nameless.
Comments
The only successful Kenyan…
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The only successful Kenyan eatery in the US is the Swahili franchise. I realize tribalism is propelling this shameless marketing, but I have been to Atlanta. This is nowhere near Ike. Now that place is Ike is authentic African. Celebrate and share the Swahili restaurant. Sio hizi vibanda zinauza chapati zimekauka kama kuni.
I wonder who invests in it…
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In reply to The only successful Kenyan… by Seneca (not verified)
I wonder who invests in it be4 we call things "successful"
We invest where there is…
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In reply to I wonder who invests in it… by Formerlyguest 2 (not verified)
We invest where there is actual TALENT/GIFT, and true Kenyan presentation...we Kenyans know good food too. Just because one is Kenyan and slaps together ingredients does not mean we invest. Not everyone gets selected on Shark Tank. In Atlanta, find me at IKE's if I want tasty, well presented African food...the nyam chom is eeish! In DC, Baltimore...the Swahili Village of course!
Shut your mouth you ugly…
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In reply to We invest where there is… by Seneca (not verified)
Shut your mouth you ugly lunatic with wobbly legs. Shame on you!
What you've done is very…
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In reply to The only successful Kenyan… by Seneca (not verified)
What you've done is very unfair. She did not claim to be better than Swahili eatery. Her words of encouragement to others are generous and persuasive. Your derogatory description of her chapati is defamatory to her enterprise and you need to apologize to her and her patrons.
Is chapati,pilau,githeri…
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In reply to The only successful Kenyan… by Seneca (not verified)
Is chapati,pilau,githeri with maize or even fufu from corn really African foods?I read elsewhere a Kenyan in US who himself has for years been eating ugali from GMO corn complaining that Ruto has imported GMO maize.The guy didn’t know maize seed for planting in Kenya is also imported.
@seneca - sasa wewe nugu…
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In reply to The only successful Kenyan… by Seneca (not verified)
@seneca - sasa wewe nugu shinda yako ni gani!? Every time a Kikuyu name appears anywhere you quickly jump up with stones and start throwing aimlessly you shit! When did you ever travel from that CNA job in Mersachusetts to Atlanta! Zilch! Kweli nyinyi Jaluo ni Ngombe sana. Wewe mjinga, Wacha ujinga!
The name of the restaurant…
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The name of the restaurant would have been helpful so that we can support her business!
The African soulfood. It's…
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In reply to The name of the restaurant… by Juju (not verified)
The African soulfood. It's in Marrieta, GA not Atl
Thanks Philly, I believe I…
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In reply to The African soulfood. It's… by Philly (not verified)
Thanks Philly, I believe I have been there on Franklin Road. I will continue to support her business when I travel that way!
congrats to both mom and…
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congrats to both mom and daughter. Running a restaurant is not easy in US. The author of this piece could edit and add the address of the restaurant. Please make it easy for people to find them. ( I know they can google it, but why make folks have to go an extra step instead of just clicking on the address from this page :) )
Passed by the restaurant two…
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Passed by the restaurant two weeks ago. The place is friendly, warm and very welcoming.
waTanjiri is your eatery…
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waTanjiri is your eatery called African Soulfood?I am in Buford for a week.Can you provide the street address please?Google says African Soulfood is in Marietta about 15 miles from Atlanta city.
Use Google, African Soulfood…
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In reply to waTanjiri is your eatery… by Menye (not verified)
Use Google, African Soulfood is in Marietta. They have enough parking, you can't get that much parking and space in downtown Atlanta.
I stopped going to Kenyan…
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I stopped going to Kenyan eateries because I always feel cheated afterwards. I can make better Ugali and Chapatis at home for a tiny fraction of what they charge. Sorry to say this, but if I want value for money for authentic African food, I go to Ethiopian restaurants.
Last African restaurant…
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In reply to I stopped going to Kenyan… by Settled Nomad (not verified)
Last African restaurant served small portions at a high price. I hate to go back hungry after eating out. Doing great food is a gift, not everyone's thing. Congratulations to the duo.
I guess you never live home…
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In reply to I stopped going to Kenyan… by Settled Nomad (not verified)
I guess you never live home. I guess beer is cheaper at a liquor store than in a bar, only have your drink at home.
If I drank I would brew own…
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In reply to I guess you never live home… by imkgoogo (not verified)
If I drank I would brew own beer. Steak is the best thing I want out there. No added ingredients. Popeyes great too
It's in Marietta, not Atl
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It's in Marietta, not Atl
Raw beef is what you get at…
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Raw beef is what you get at Ethiopian restaurants and kaukaad chapati they call injeera including tasteless goat meat nothing african about that food more like over spiced Arabic or Mediterranean food rather nasty .This lady needs to provide the location and name of her restaurant haters and cheap skates will always be there.Even if it is a kibanda let Kenyans taste it for themselves proof is in the pudding.
Would like to chei it out. …
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Would like to chei it out. Looking forward to good food.
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