There will be another chance for people to experience authentic African food at ARC’s No 60 café on Tuesday 14 June, after the success of the venue’s popular Ghanaian night earlier in the year.
Staff from Middlesbrough’s Café Nobia, who will be hosting the event for the second time at No 60, have attributed a recent sharp rise in business and bookings for food events to their initial sold-out African taster night, which took place at ARC in February.
Owner Nobia Deprez said enquires for events and bookings have ‘rocketed’ since her first event, which featured authentic Ghanaian cuisine such as curried goat with jollof rice, caramelised plantains, tasty pastry ‘pockets’ and fiery ginger flavoured home-brewed drinks.
Ghanaian born Nobia, who owns Café Nobia on Marton Road said:
“Since our initial night at ARC, enquires to our Facebook page have rocketed, and we are inundated with requests each week to take part in various food markets in the local area. Before the taster night, business was steady, but we were lacking a real presence in the local food scene.
“But now, people know about our food, they know where we are based, and we have people coming from across Teesside to try something a bit different, and very tasty! I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw people from the event actually come in to the café over the following weeks to try more food and get to know more about African cuisine and culture, it’s amazing, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
She continued: “I am really looking forward to our next event which will be even more exciting as it will feature cuisine not just from Ghana, but from other parts of Africa too, and there is a real treat in store as we have some African musicians coming to provide the entertainment.”
Shaun Dowd, ARC’s Head of Operations said: “The feedback from our initial African taster event at No 60 was incredible, not just for us but for all the staff at Café Nobia which has really helped boost their presence in the Teesside food scene. It proves that building an excellent working relationship with local businesses can really benefit both parties, and opens up various opportunities for customers to experience something quite unique.”
No 60 launched at ARC last summer as the venue’s new food and drink brand, and has since introduced a revamped menu, as well as holding popular monthly food event such as Jazz and Tapas, Mexican Night and An Evening of Chocolate.
African Night at No 60 takes place at ARC’s No 60 cafe on Tuesday 14 June at 7pm. Tickets cost £15 and can be booked at www.arconline.co.uk under the No 60 section, or by calling No 60 on 01642 525199.
For more information, and for interviews and images please contact annemarie.odonnell@arconline.co.uk