HUNDREDS of people turned out to celebrate the opening of a new café on Sunday, despite pouring rain.
Tutu’s Ethiopian Table has opened in Palmer Park – just on the border between Wokingham and Reading boroughs.
The café is run by Tutu Melaku and is next to the popular play park that fronts on to Wokingham Road and will offer a mixture of quick snacks and authentic Ethiopian cuisine.
Although the weather was the worst it had been for a while – heavy rain, sharp winds and cold air – there were healthy crowds in attendance. They were rewarded with a free burger or vegan burger – more than 500 were served over a three-hour period on Sunday, March 3.
There was also entertainment from local musicians and clowns Professor Eek and Elsie Fanackerpants who delighted youngsters with their life-size Punch & Judy show.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Debs Edwards, was invited to cut the ribbon to declare the Ethiopian Table open.
Cllr Sarah Hacker, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, introduced the opening ceremony. The said that it had been an interesting journey for Tutu to get her own café. She added that the Table was “a wonderful culture, beautiful historical building and a very much-loved park”.
Cllr Edwards said that it was a really special occasion and that she had nothing but praise for Tutu.
“We wish Tutu all the best for the future. Our honoured guest here shows just how much Tutu is honoured and admired,” she added.
The Ethiopian Embassy’s deputy head of mission, Ambassador Ababi Demissie, was delighted to be present for the grand opening event.
“Tutu is an ambassador for the country,” he said, to loud cheers. “You can get to Ethiopia through her.”
He added: “My congratulations to Tutu on this special milestone.”
Tutu thanked everyone for following her journey, and for helping get the café ready to open.
“Thank you everybody for coming,” she added.
Tutu has built up a strong following across the Reading area over the past few years: she has been serving a selection of meat and vegetarian stews, along with the Ethiopian traditional pancake, Injera, at RISC’s Global Café since 2006. She has won a string of awards.
Four years ago, she launched a range of sauces for home cooks to enjoy. The range includes vegan and gluten free and can be used for cooking, spreading or even as a dip.
And Tutu has even appeared on BBC Radio 4, extolling the virtues of Ethiopian cuisine.
Dishes on the menu include Misr Wot, a popular stew gently flavoured with red lentils, and Doro Wot, the national dish of Ethiopia: chicken simmered in spiced butter with mixed spices and onion.
Most meals are served on an injera, a flat Ethiopian pancake with a slightly sour-dough taste or with rice. A hot sauce is also available.
But Tutu’s Ethiopian Table also caters for people who want a quick bite. The Palmer Park menu will include fresh salads, home-made sandwiches and cakes, snacks and fresh coffee which can be enjoyed in the restaurant or taken away.
And when the warmer weather comes, there will be outdoor seating set up so that people can enjoy their food in the great outdoors.
The café will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm and on Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
For more details, log on to www.tutus-ethiopian-table.com
