Cally Munchy is a pan-African concept that’s taken up residence at The Africa Centre in Southwark. The business was founded in 2015 by British-Nigerian chef Ebenezer Sogunro and ran as a series of pop-ups, short-term residencies and a catering company for the first few years of its life. This opporunity at The Africa Centre is the longest stint Ebenezer has ever done, and is being described as a ‘pan-African experience’ that draws on his British-Afro roots.
On top of setting up street food stalls all over London, from Shoreditch to Carnaby Street, Cally Munchy has catered for some big-name brands over the years, including the likes of Nike, Ted Baker and the National History Museum.
For this particular residency in Southwark, the chef has created an a la carte menu featuring dishes such as beef suya, jollof rice, and kelewele (spiced and fried plantain) - plus much more. The chef is on a mission to introduce his beloved cuisine to London, saying that he noticed a 'lack of representation, commercial display and modernisation of the foods that derive from African cultures' while working as a chef.
The interiors feature bold African art and design features throughout, from beaded curtains to hanging lanterns. While terracotta walls, wooden furniture and leafy pot plants create a warm and relaxed aesthetic.
Although Cally Munchy is an exciting new addition to The Africa Centre, the restaurant has replaced the much-loved Tatale, which was previously Akwasi Brenya-Mensa's pan-African concept. Cally Munchy is set to run for six months from August 2023 until February 2024.