LATEST CASE STUDIES RESTAURANT CASE STUDIES

Ellesu Catering Services: A Culinary Highlight at The Africa Centre, London | For the Book Launch of For Such a Time Such as This by Shani Akilah

Dec 23, 2024

Ellesu Catering Services: A Culinary Highlight at The Africa Centre, London | For the Book Launch of For Such a Time Such as This by Shani Akilah - Introduction:

Ellesu Restaurant & Catering Services proudly showcased its expertise as one of London’s Top Luxury Caterers during the book launch of For Such a Time Such as This by Shani Akilah. Hosted at the iconic Africa Centre on June 27th, 2024, this event combined literature, culture, and exceptional cuisine, offering a unique experience to 40 distinguished guests.


Ellesu Catering Services: A Culinary Highlight at The Africa Centre, London Overview:

On June 27th, 2024, Ellesu Restaurant & Catering Services had the honor of catering the book launch of For Such A Time Such As This by Shani Akilah. The event was held at The Africa Centre, Southwark, London—a cultural hub renowned for its rich history of art, literature, and community events. With 40 distinguished guests in attendance, the evening was set to celebrate the author’s Caribbean/Creole heritage through a themed culinary experience.


  • Project Name: Book Launch - For Such a Time Such as This by Shani Akilah.
  • Location: The Africa Centre, Southwark London, UK, England. The Africa Centre, London was founded in 1964 at 38 King Street, Covent Garden, where over the years it held many art exhibitions, conferences, lectures, and a variety of cultural events, as well as housing a gallery, meeting halls, restaurant, bar and bookshop.
  • Address: 66 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0BL, United Kingdom
  • Period: 27th of June 2024.
  • Catering Company: Ellesu Restuarant & Catering Services, Call/Text - +447946878254
  • Size/Number of Attendees at the venue: 40 guests.
  • Dishes served/Menu: Corn Bread, Mac n Cheese, Curry Mutton, Cajun Rice, Fried Chicken, and corn on cobs.
  • Number of Staff: 2 servers excluding our CEO
  • Ingredients used in Dishes: we sourced most of our items from our local food store and supermarket.
  • Duration of the Event: The event was opened to the public from 6:30pm. We were given access from 6pm to set up.
  • Time of completion: 6 pm - 10 pm (4 hours)


About The Africa Centre: A Historic Venue for Luxury Catering Services:


Founded in 1964, The Africa Centre is a cultural landmark in London, originally located in Covent Garden before moving to its current address at 66 Great Suffolk St, Southwark, London SE1 0BL. The center is renowned for its role in promoting African and diaspora culture through exhibitions, lectures, and events. With its vibrant history, it provided the perfect backdrop for Shani Akilah’s book launch.


Nearby Hotels and Landmarks:

  • Novotel London Bridge (4-minute walk) – Modern accommodation with excellent amenities.
  • The Shard (10-minute walk) – Iconic skyscraper offering breathtaking views of London.
  • Tate Modern (8-minute walk) – World-famous modern art gallery along the River Thames.

Planning an event in a historic or contemporary venue? Trust Ellesu for seamless Event Catering in London that complements the setting perfectly.




About the Book Launch: For Such a Time Such as This


Shani Akilah’s book, For Such a Time Such as This, reflects on themes of identity, resilience, and cultural heritage. The Caribbean/Creole theme of the event mirrored the book’s exploration of the author’s roots. Held at The Africa Centre, the launch was a vibrant gathering celebrating both literature and culinary artistry.


Ellesu Event Catering Client Requirements:


The host, Young Africa Centre, commissioned Ellesu to prepare a menu that would embody the Caribbean/Creole theme. The key objectives were:

  • To serve a curated menu reflecting the event’s cultural essence.
  • Ensure all dishes were set up and ready for consumption by the event’s opening at 6:30 PM.
  • Provide seamless service with minimal staff for an intimate gathering.


Our Approach for Menu Highlights and Ingredient Sourcing:


At Ellesu, we specialize in Bespoke Catering, tailoring our menus to reflect the theme and purpose of each event. For this Caribbean/Creole-themed evening, we crafted a menu featuring:


Menu Highlights:


  • Cornbread
  • Mac n Cheese
  • Curry Mutton
  • Cajun Rice
  • Fried Chicken
  • Corn on the Cob


Most ingredients were locally sourced from trusted food stores and supermarkets, ensuring the dishes were fresh and flavorful. Our CEO oversaw the operations, supported by two skilled servers, ensuring that everything ran smoothly from setup to service.


Seamless Execution by London’s Top Luxury Caterer- Ellesu Catering:


Ellesu’s team arrived at The Africa Centre at 6:00 PM, an hour before the event opened to the public. This gave us ample time to set up the dining area and prepare the dishes for serving. The service officially ran from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Throughout the evening, our team maintained a warm and professional presence, ensuring all guests were well-attended.


  • The Cajun Rice was a standout dish, receiving rave reviews from the attendees.
  • Many guests experienced Cornbread for the first time, adding an element of novelty to the evening.
  • The intimate gathering allowed us to engage with guests, enhancing brand visibility and creating memorable connections.



Rave Reviews for London Catering Services - Ellesu Catering:


The feedback from the Young Africa Centre and the attendees was overwhelmingly positive. The meals were well-received, with guests praising the flavors and presentation. Several dishes were so well received that they disappeared within minutes, reaffirming our reputation as a leading Luxury Catering Service in London.




A Short Story About this Result & Impact from the Event with One of the Best Event Caterers Companies in London UK England, Ellesu Catering Services:


For Ellesu, this event was more than just a catering assignment; it was an opportunity to showcase our expertise in delivering culturally themed cuisine. The successful execution enhanced our brand reputation and demonstrated our ability to cater to diverse events, whether small or large.


Why Choose Ellesu for Corporate and Social Events?


  • Authentic Flavors: From Office Catering to Party Food Catering Services, we create dishes that captivate your guests.
  • Professional Service: As a trusted name in Corporate Catering in London, we deliver on every detail.
  • Local Focus: Committed to being Sustainable Caterers by sourcing fresh, local ingredients.
  • Versatility: From Contract Catering to intimate gatherings, we cater to events of all scales.


Contact Us:

Let Ellesu Restaurant & Catering Services elevate your next event with Luxury Catering Services tailored to your needs. To savor the flavors of Ellesu Catering services & Restaurant for your Private party, weddings, Events, corporate Catering etc Call/text us at +447946878254 to discuss your next event or visit website here


To read more about Ellesu Catering services & Restaurant, visit their listing on Austin Guidered