uMhlanga eatery’s New York triumph: A proud moment with President Ramaphosa
|Published
Durban’s Mushroom Lounge owner Sibongiseni Mbambo said he would consider opening several restaurant branches around the US after New York City residents showed high appreciation for his traditional food.
Mbambo is currently in New York showcasing his restaurant’s various traditional foods. Speaking to the Daily News from New York, he said he was overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the respect he was accorded by Americans who appreciated his African flavour.
He said many restaurants he visited to showcase his foods gave it the thumbs up after tasting it. He was encouraged and was seriously thinking of opening a first branch in New York and hoped to expand to other cities.
“Since we came here at the weekend and started cooking, people are showing a lot of appreciation for our taste and are asking for more. I will sit down with my team of chefs and consider opening branches,” said Mbambo.
He said Americans have shown interest in traditional foods like tripe, boiled chicken and dumplings.
Mbambo left for the US at the weekend together with his team of chefs. While in the country he met President Cyril Ramaphosa with his delegation who were attending the UN meeting. Together with the president, Mbambo’s team also celebrated Heritage Day.
They were joined by the Clermont Mass Choir and Maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose who are also in New York for their own tours. The president promised to visit the lounge once he is back in the country.
The invitation was facilitated by the American delegation who were part of the Resurgence conference that took place in July in Durban. After the conference, some of the delegates visited the restaurant accompanied by city manager Musa Mbhele and Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni.
Mbambo said the invitation to New York came while he was also inundated with calls from Gauteng and Cape Town to open restaurants in these provinces.
Mbambo thanked King Misuzulu for visiting his eatery in April, saying the New York invitation was also as a result of the king’s blessings.
During his visit, the king commended Mbambo for serving traditional food like Zulu boiled chicken, tripe and other traditional foods in an establishment surrounded by diverse cultures.
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