The Chef Bringing The Heart & Soul Of Senegal To London

This article is part of a series showcasing Black-owned restaurants in London, in partnership with Just Eat

Little Baobab, the restaurant billed as London’s finest serving Senegalese soul food, began as a love letter to Senegal, bringing its bold flavours, vibrant culture, and sense of community to the heart of the British capital.

"I see Little Baobab as more than just a restaurant – it’s a hub for sharing Senegalese culture. The main reason I started it was to share my heritage with people and bring them together, creating a sense of community where they can eat, connect, and enjoy,” says head chef and owner Khadim Mbamba.

Since its humble start in 2012, Little Baobab has grown from a regular pop-up in East London, to delighting festival-goers at events like Glastonbury and WOMAD, to a shop at Peckham Levels, to now proudly residing at the Africa Centre on Great Suffolk Street. The residency offers a permanent home for its unique, modern take on traditional Senegalese cuisine, a remarkable achievement for Khadim, who went from arriving in London with no professional cooking experience to owning his own restaurant.

“When I first came to England in 2010 I was eating chicken and chips every day,” he admits. “I started to really miss the food from back home. I wanted to start cooking those dishes for myself. So, I would call my siblings who would share the recipes with me over the phone.” 

Being a skilled cook and able to make traditional dishes is one thing, but owning a restaurant is another. At the start of his cooking journey, Khadim was introduced to a Moroccan chef who encouraged him to join him for a festival circuit in the UK.

“He took a liking to me. At the time, I could hardly speak any English, but luckily, he spoke French. He hired me as an understudy in his food business and one day told me he was going to teach me how to become a chef.

“I laughed at first because, honestly, I didn’t think it was possible. I had only just learned how to cook the food from my own country, and now this man was telling me he was going to turn me into a chef. But he did. He taught me how to prepare famous North African dishes, and from there, I learned the basics of cooking all kinds of meals.”

Every business owner has that one moment that makes their journey – no matter how tumultuous – feel worthwhile. For Khadim, this moment came in the form of a married couple.

“There was this couple I met at Glastonbury Festival,” he shares. “They tried my food and loved it. They told me they had never experienced Senegalese cuisine before. We had a great conversation, and when I opened up at the Africa Centre, they were among my first customers during the opening week. We recognised each other immediately! They told me that since trying my food at the festival, they had explored more Senegalese cuisine and, even more incredible, they said my food inspired them to book a trip to Senegal.

“That moment was huge for me because it embodied the entire purpose of my restaurant – to introduce people to Senegalese food and culture. Knowing that my food inspired a couple to visit my homeland was the best feeling.”

While many people love dining at restaurants, food delivery apps like Just Eat have become incredibly popular, offering a convenient solution for those who don’t have time to cook or are simply craving something different.

“The main goal of Little Baobab is to share the flavours of Senegal with more people,” says Khadim. “By being on Just Eat, we make it easier for people to discover and enjoy Senegalese cuisine, all while expanding their culinary horizons from the comfort of their own homes.”

During our conversation Khadim reflects on the challenges he faced while opening his restaurant, emphasising that it was far from an easy journey. Now, he is passionate about creating opportunities for others who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

“I will soon be opening our restaurant to guest chefs from African backgrounds who want the opportunity to present their work,” he shares. “Once I have a bit more free time, I also plan to launch a mentoring program for aspiring Black African and Caribbean restaurateurs.”

The Africa Centre is a great fit for Little Baobab, given their shared mission of fostering community and bringing a piece of African culture to London.

“The Africa Centre is a fantastic spot for us right now,” Khadim says. “But in the future, I dream of Little Baobab having its own dedicated restaurant building and even expanding to other cities across the UK.”

If you’re planning a visit to Little Baobab, we asked Khadim which dish you should start with.

“The chicken yassa,” he recommended. “It’s one of our most popular dishes. It’s a marinated, well-seasoned chicken cooked with onions caramelized with lime. We serve it with rice and a fresh salad.”

As Little Baobab continues to grow, Khadim’s vision remains clear: to not only share the rich flavours of Senegal but to create a space where food, culture, and community can come together.

Images courtesy of Little Baobab