Be part of our journey

Help Us Bring West to West Kitchen To Dubai!

Be part of our journey and help us to bring West to West Dubai to life

The Story of West to West Kitchen

From Humble Beginnings to Exciting Opportunities!

Laddi’s mum is from Sierra Leone, his dad is from Trinidad and Tobago and he grew up with many Jamaican family members and friends. This was the cuisine Laddi and his family grew up eating: Sierra Leonean, Trinidadian and Jamaican home-cooked food. When Michele and Laddi first moved to Abu Dhabi, they missed food from home. There were very few outlets offering West African or Caribbean food and there was, definitely, nowhere offering this unique mix from the same restaurant.

Michele’s background is in medicine and Laddi’s background is in education. Whilst they both loved supporting restaurants by eating there as customers and with the exception of working as a waitress/waiter as part-time employment during their teens, Michele and Laddi had zero experience in the food and beverage industry.

So how did we start?

We started at home! In 2018, Laddi sourced recipes from his parents, siblings, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends – just about anyone whose food they missed! Michele and Laddi invited their friends to their home. They made items from our proposed menu and asked for feedback on what was cooked, the names of the dishes and the name of the restaurant.

Equipped with our first menu, we opened a pop-up stall, for six months, in a kitchen-incubator called, Urban RetrEAT, which was in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. This experience encouraged us to find a permanent location, which we eventually did in September 2019.

Later the same month, Laddi and Michele hired a full-time team and were soon joined by the West to West matriarchs: Mama J (Laddi’s mum) and Aunty Lina (Laddi’s aunty), who taught our new West to West team how to make the cuisine of Laddi’s childhood.

In October 2019, we opened to the public!

OUR SUCCESSES SO FAR

West to West Kitchen Awards

What have we been up to since 2019? Thanks to our incredibly supportive guests and the tireless efforts of our team, we’ve experienced some amazing successes over the past four to five years. We’ve had the privilege of participating in globally renowned events, including the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Emirates Dubai Sevens and the Wireless music festival, to name just a few.

We’re also proud to have earned recognition within the industry. In 2021, we won the “What’s On Indie Restaurant of the Year” award, and in 2023, we were “Highly Commended” in the Best Budget category at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards.

While we know there’s still plenty of room for growth, we believe we’re laying strong foundations for the future.

“West to West Kitchen started with a simple vision: to share the rich flavours of West Africa and the Caribbean in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Now, we’re ready to take the next step – bringing our unique culinary experience to Dubai. With your help, we can make it happen.”

Laddi | Co-Founder

Why Dubai is the
Next Chapter

We’re excited to bring our unique blend of West African and Caribbean cuisine to DUBAI – arguably the most iconic city in the UAE.

Why Dubai?
Simply put, our guests have spoken. Whether it’s through our social media channels, at the events we participate in, or even when they travel from Dubai to visit our Abu Dhabi restaurant, they consistently tell us: Dubai is where we need to be.

Now, we might be a little biased, but we believe our food is fantastic and our team is exceptional. However, true greatness comes from being in the right place at the right time. For us, Dubai is that place and now is the perfect time!

A photo of Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Help Us Bring West to West Kitchen To Dubai!
A photo of Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Help Us Bring West to West Kitchen To Dubai!

Together, We Can Make West to West a Dubai Culinary Landmark!

What Your Support Will Help Us Achieve

A kitchen in the cloud?

While we’re confident that West to West – Dubai will thrive, we want to be responsible with the funds we raise and take a sensible approach. That’s why we’re starting small by opening in a cloud kitchen. For those unfamiliar with the term, though we love the image of a kitchen floating in the clouds, a cloud kitchen is simply a delivery-only concept – no dine-in or take-away. Your food will be delivered straight to your door … on the ground, not from the sky! There are pros and cons to this model. For us, as a business that thrives on face-to-face interactions, not being able to chat with our guests in person is a definite downside. However, one major advantage is that we avoid the hefty upfront investment required to open a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant. This flexibility allows us to focus on what matters most: delivering great food and service without the financial strain. As our Dubai community grows and we achieve the success we anticipate, we plan to take the next step and physically welcome our guests by opening a traditional restaurant in the future.

WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE SPENT ON?

All the funds we receive (after taxes, rewards and Kickstarter fees) will be used to create a strong foundation for the business and to ensure your support results in success. This includes:

• Securing the location
• Hiring our team
• Training our team
• Uniform
• Marketing
• Dubai business set-up expenses
• Equipment expenses
• Operational expenses
• Inventory and packaging
• Establishing delivery platforms
• Utility expenses

Exclusive Offers for Those Who Believe in Our Journey

Exciting Rewards for Our Supporters

We’ve created a selection of exciting rewards for our amazing backers! Whether you’re craving a cookout, stylish merchandise, or a memorable dinner experience, we have something special just for you. Explore our exclusive rewards and become a part of our West to West Dubai story!

Come Hungry, Leave Happy!

London & UAE Cookout

Enjoy an unforgettable cookout in London or the UAE with some of West to West Kitchen’s signature West African and Caribbean dishes, and a sizzling barbecue. Fire up the grill and immerse yourself in vibrant flavours and beats!”

Wear It, Share It, Love It!

Merchandise

Show your support with our limited-edition merchandise! Choose from t-shirts, basketball vests, and adorable baby grows – something for everyone, big and small. Grab your gear and rep West to West in Style!

Dine, Laugh, and Celebrate Together!

Host Your Own West to West Dinner Party

Host a dinner party your guests won’t forget! West to West Kitchen will cook and deliver our signature West African and Caribbean dishes, creating an evening of fun, food, and unforgettable memories in the comfort of your home. (Only available in the UAE

Food and Fun for the Soul!

Feast & Fun - A Party Like No Other

Enjoy a West to West feast and a lot of fun! We’ll cook up West African and Caribbean dishes in the comfort of your home, while our host leads some classic party games. Fun, food, and good vibes! (Only available in the UAE)

Make Your Corporate Event or celebration Unforgettable with Flavors to Remember!

Special Occasions & Corporate Catering Package

Cater your special occasion or corporate event with West to West! Enjoy our dishes for up to 50 of your clients, work colleagues or guests. Like this reward but you need more? Not a prob, we got you! We can cater for more than 50 guests. Let us know and we’ll provide prices upon request. (Only available in the UAE)

Thank you for considering us 🫶🏾

Be Part of Our Journey

Help Us Bring
West to West Kitchen to Dubai!