Today we’d like to introduce you to Ammalu Saleh.
Hi Ammalu, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Cooking has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I spent countless hours in the kitchen helping my mother, who owned a catering business. I loved being by her side, learning, tasting, and delivering food to customers. Even when I wasn’t in the kitchen, I’d be outside with friends pretending to cook, it’s always been something that felt natural to me.
Later, my family relocated to the UK. Adjusting to a new environment wasn’t easy, but my mom made sure we stayed connected to our culture, especially through food. While I didn’t immediately pursue cooking as a career, I always knew I wanted to help people in some way. After completing my degree in Criminology, I worked as a Case Manager, and later earned my MBA, discovering a strength in human resources and marketing.
When I moved to the United States to join my husband, we were blessed with four beautiful children. However, after giving birth, I faced severe postpartum depression. During that challenging time, my love for cooking resurfaced, this time as a form of therapy. Being in the kitchen became my safe space, a place where I could heal and find joy again.
A good friend of mine, who owned a pharmacy with a wellness program, reached out to me to help her clients with meal prep. Many of them were busy professionals or people managing chronic illnesses. She trained me on healthy eating and micronutrients, and that’s when my business journey truly began. Through that experience, I not only helped others eat well, but I also transformed my own relationship with food and wellness.
Eventually, I wanted to share my East African culture with the Charlotte community. I started catering for the local East African community, and as demand grew, I began to dream bigger. I wanted to create a space where more people could experience our cuisine. Starting a small business wasn’t easy, especially when it came to securing capital, but I kept pushing forward, networking, and seeking out support programs for entrepreneurs.
That’s when I came across HIIVE, a program under Charlotte Center City. Through HIIVE, I learned even more about running a small business and was given the opportunity to do a pop-up at The Market at 7th Street, Charlotte’s first food hall. The three-month pop-up was a wonderful experience, it allowed me to see how the community responded to Serengeti’s offerings.
When a permanent space became available, I didn’t hesitate to apply and I was thrilled to be accepted. Since November 2024, we’ve been proudly serving the Charlotte community as Serengeti Kitchen at The Market at 7th Street. It’s been an incredible journey of rediscovery, resilience, and sharing my heritage through food.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every bump and detour has taught me something meaningful and brought me closer to where I am today.
I decided to follow my passion and turn cooking into a business. I was really starting from the ground up. I didn’t have connections in the local food scene or a business background in hospitality, just a deep love for cooking and a desire to share my culture.
One of the hardest parts was access to capital. Like many small business owners, I faced financial hurdles that sometimes made my dreams feel far away. There were moments of doubt, but every time I wanted to give up, I reminded myself why I started. I leaned on my faith, my family, and the support of the Charlotte community, and somehow, each challenge became a stepping stone.
I’m truly blessed with a husband who supports me. He understands that Serengeti isn’t just a business for me, it’s part of my wellbeing and who I am. We have four amazing children, ages 18 to 8, and since I’m often out managing the business, my husband has taken such a big role in making sure our children’s needs are met. His patience, understanding, and teamwork have been the backbone of everything I do.
On a personal level, postpartum depression was one of the most difficult times in my life. But it also became the moment that brought me back to cooking. It helped me heal, reminded me of who I was, and gave me a new sense of purpose.
Even now, the journey isn’t without challenges. While the Charlotte community has been so welcoming and supportive, introducing Tanzanian cuisine to people who are unfamiliar with it can be tricky. Some people are hesitant to try new foods, so I often offer samples and take time to share the stories behind each dish. Once they taste it, their faces light up and connection, that spark of understanding, makes every effort worthwhile.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But it’s been a road full of lessons, love, and growth. Every struggle has made me stronger, and every bit of support from my family to my community has helped me keep moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SERENGETI KITCHEN?
At Serengeti Kitchen we connect cultures through food. We specialize in Tanzanian cuisine, bringing the bold, vibrant, and comforting flavors of my heritage to the heart of Charlotte. Every dish carries a story from the spices passed down through generations to the family recipes that remind me of cooking alongside my mother when I was a little girl.
At Serengeti Kitchen, our mission is to share more than just food, we share an experience. East African cuisine is full of warmth, depth, and tradition, but for many people, it’s something new. That’s why we take pride in introducing our guests to these flavors. Explaining ingredients, sharing the cultural stories behind each dish, and offering samples to those who may be curious but hesitant. Once they take that first bite, they’re usually hooked and that moment of discovery is what makes it all worth it.
We are proudly located at The Market at 7th Street, Charlotte’s first food hall. It’s been such a blessing to share our culture with a diverse community in such a vibrant space. And recently, we were nominated by Unpretentious Palate as “Non-Restaurant Chef of the Year”, which was such an incredible honor. That recognition reminded me how far this journey has come from cooking as a form of healing to being part of Charlotte’s thriving culinary community.
What I’m most proud of is how the Serengeti Kitchen brand reflects my personal story one of family, resilience, and cultural pride. What began as a passion project has evolved into a platform that connects people through food and sparks curiosity about East African heritage.
I want readers to know that when they visit Serengeti Kitchen, they’re not just coming to eat — they’re coming to experience a story. A story of love, perseverance, and the belief that food has the power to bridge cultures and bring people together. Whether you’re tasting Tanzanian cuisine for the first time or finding comfort in familiar flavors, you’ll always be welcomed with warmth, kindness, and a meal made from the heart.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaboration has always been a big part of my journey. I truly value working with other chefs and creatives because I believe that when we come together, we not only share skills and ideas, but we also create something truly special for our guests. In the past, I’ve had the joy of collaborating with other chefs to craft intimate dining experiences that celebrate culture, flavor, and connection and I’m always open to more of those opportunities.
One of the ways people can experience this side of Serengeti Kitchen is through our private dinner program called “Eat Like a Tanzanian.” It’s a five-course dining experience where I take guests on a culinary journey through traditional Tanzanian dishes with a modern fusion twist. We encourage guests to eat with their hands, just as we do back home, to really connect with the authentic Tanzanian dining experience. It’s more than a meal, it’s a cultural exchange, a chance to slow down, taste, and learn.
There are so many ways people can support Serengeti Kitchen, by spreading the word, hiring us for catering, ordering our meals, and sharing our story on social media. Every post, every recommendation, and every visit helps us grow and continue our mission of connecting cultures through food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.serengetichef.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serengeti.kitchen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serengetikitchen
