ALKEBULAN

Alkebulan, the world's first African dining hall, was one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s big success stories in the food and beverage sector. As we transition into the city of the future, we are excited to announce that more exiting brands are to be added to the line up soon.

Founder of Alkebulan, Alexander Smalls is a James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and raconteur as well as the visionary co-owner of renowned restaurants, The Cecil and Minton’s. 

Hand-selected by chef Alexander Smalls, each chef, artist, and musician will play their part in re-educating the world in African experiences through a series of bespoke concepts under one roof. With a number of concepts in Alkebulan inspired by Chef Alexander’s previous restaurants, and some designed in partnership, all were born from his idea of creating the first African Dining Hall.

 “We aim to not only deliver a taste of Africa but offer a one stop destination that becomes a boiling pot of the various African cultures at the core of its 54 countries and offer opportunities to young culinary entrepreneurs from under privileged backgrounds. We want to provide them space in the food halls to start their own businesses as part of an incubator program, providing support through coaching and mentoring as well as financially.” 

art installations

  • Young Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Murius pieces have been chosen to line the walls of Alkebulan. Her playful work has the feel of glossy high-fashion magazine yet with a much deeper meaning. The funky fabrics, elaborate hairstyles and improvised eyewear are an attractive and witty celebration of African culture.

  • Capturing the essence of Africa through Ghana's Rufai Zakari's art. His pieces examine consumerism, environmental pollution, labour and trade and the perils of industrialisation in the contemporary Ghanian society.

  • We're thrilled to introduce the amazing Nike Davies - Okundaye, a world-renowned Nigerian batik, and Adire textile designer. Nike Davies is the founder and director of four art centers in Nigeria that offer free training to over 150 young artists, comprising of more than 7,000 artworks. Alongside her many accomplishments with her work being showcased in The Smithsonian Museum as of 2012. Davies-Okundaye hopes to improve the lives of disadvantaged women in Nigeria through art.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

  • HOSPITALITY TRAINING PROGRAMME

    We will aim to support chefs & concepts with African origins who are underrepresented in the industry, offering a cooking school program supported by the Alkebulan Ambassadors.

  • SCHOLARSHIPS

    We plan to set up scholarships to provide funding for aspiring chefs, entrepreneur, creatives and young talent to attend the world’s best hospitality and culinary schools.

  • INCUBATOR HUBS

    We will support local entrepreneurs & concepts with branding, operating knowledge, mentorship & training, in order to sustain their concepts & products.

  • FARM COLLECTIVE CO-OPERATIVES

    Alkebulan will partner with Farm Collectives & Co-operatives in Africa to support African suppliers and give them a world-platform while still supporting the local African communities through the development of the Alkebulan retail range.