African dining hall Alkebulan is debuting at Expo 2020 Dubai

Get ready to take a trip through Africa – Alkebulan, an all-new African dining hall concept, is coming to Expo 2020 Dubai.

Capturing the essence of Africa, the new dining concept will showcase African food and culture through a series of bespoke restaurants celebrating the continent’s varying cuisines.

Alkebulan – which is the oldest name for Africa and translates to ‘Mother of Mankind’ – will be helmed by opera singer-turned-restauranteur and curator of the concept, Alexander Smalls, along with seven acclaimed chefs.

Designed to showcase contemporary African food and music from across the continent, each counter and concept will have its own distinct design honouring the individuality of the region, cuisine, and chef behind it.

“African food is as diverse as the continent’s countries and communities, yet it is still under-represented in the world. Bringing a piece of Africa to Expo 2020 is not only a dream come true but also an opportunity to showcase the rich diversity that makes African cuisine unique from region to region,” said chef Alexander Smalls.

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“Food and music are both instrumental to our culture, and Alkebulan is a place that marries the two, welcoming visitors from around the world to be immersed in our flavours and traditions.”

The food hall will host ten unique counters, with each offering a different menu:

• Afro Street Eatery by Coco will highlight the flavours of West African street food with dishes such as Ugandan-style miniature chapatti wraps filled with beef or vegetable curry

• Bar Cane, also by Coco, will be serving up doughnuts and dessert-inspired mixed drinks.

• Chicken Coop by Alexander Smalls will be Alkebulan’s go-to spot for both rotisserie and fried chicken (don’t miss out on the triple-fried Tunisian chicken paired with a thick Belgian waffle).

• Choma BBQ, a Reinarhz creation, is inspired by the art of roasting, grilling, and smoking meats. Menu highlights include Zanzibar-style spiced rice and lamb served with kachumbari salad, as well as Kenyan-style beef skewers with roasted green bananas.

• Jiko Cocktails by Tribe Hotel Kenya is promising to bring the flavours of Africa together through inventive mixed drinks created by talented bartender Kelvin Thaiya.

• Penja by pop-up chefs Pierre Siewe, Glory Kabe and Moos Gbane, will be offering innovative African cuisine with highlights including farm cockerel breaded with mustard and tapioca.

• Seven Seafood by chef Kiran Jethwa will be highlighting contemporary East African seafood using ingredients, flavours, and combinations from the region.

• Shoebox Bakery by Mame Sow will be serving up the ultimate pan-African bakery experience, spanning both sweet and savoury items including Ethiopian injera flatbread.

• Sweet Ophelia’s, another concept from chef Alexander Smalls, will be an Afro-Asian wok bar serving rice, noodle and dumpling dishes, including a West African favourite: Cameroonian pepper fish.

• And lastly, The Tasty Goat from chef Kiran Jethwa will be showcasing nose-to-tail dining, combining the different tastes, textures, and ﬂavours of modern East African cuisine