A NIGERIAN father-of-three is opening Chelmsford's first African restaurant.
Peter Alegeh, 37, owner of Lekki Restaurant & Bar, on Railway Street, hopes to impress food enthusiasts with traditional Nigerian soups and 'moin moin' steamed puddings.
Speaking to the Chronicle, Peter explained his love of Nigerian cuisine came at a very early age in his home city of Lagos in west Nigeria.
"I started learning to cook traditional Nigerian recipes when I was nine-years-old from my mum; she was always so good at cooking," he said.
The new restaurant owner, who first came to England in 2007 after working as a contractor, continued working in the UK in PR.
He set up home with newly married Nigerian wife Amaka and kids Otse and Ayenoya in Chelmsford in 2008.
But despite living in Chelmsford, the family was forced to make regular commutes to central London to get their fix of African cuisine.
Peter said: "Going to London was the best way me and my family could experience any type of African-style atmosphere.
"So we thought that instead of travelling to London we should open an African restaurant in Chelmsford. Then people from the African community and members of the public could try a Nigerian cuisine without spending the money to get to London."
With a cuisine that differs from the national trend of Italian, American and Asian restaurants, Peter explained how he came up with the name of the restaurant.
"On the outskirts of my hometown in Lagos there is a place called Lekki. It's a very affluent and popular area for families and young people.
"I decided to name my restaurant after this because it is easily recognisable to the African community and easy to pronounce for Chelmsford residents."
The restaurant is set to open tomorrow (Friday).
