At Bloom Bar, chef-owners Keith Edem Aweke and Kofi Adjei Maafo take every customer on a journey from the flavors of exquisite Ghana cuisine to the African-inspired ambience of the restaurant. They focus on delivering great food that sparks conversation while enjoying a familiar menu with dishes prepared with authentic Ghana recipes and unique spices.
Serving spectacular food to locals, visitors, and even tourists who have traveled from Ghana and recognize the brand, Aweke and Maafo are delighting with outstanding dishes like Whole Branzino served with green curry and coconut rice, Braised Oxtails and Ghanaian Jollof Rice or Whole Grilled Hen served with Berbere glaze just to name a few. And, topping the meal off with desserts that include the Puff Puff, a fried airy dough with Crème Anglaise and pomegranate molasses, brings the mouth-watering culinary experience full circle, and one I wanted to explore further.
Here are highlights from my conversation with Bloom Bar co-owner, Kofi Maafo on their success and what comes next.
How has your Ghana upbringing and education in New York influenced your entrepreneurship?
Growing up and starting our careers in Ghana while being educated in New York has given us the platform to view the entire business from a wider lens in approaching the consumer and creating unique experiences. This is seen in our choice of recipes for food, entertainment, and overall interaction with guests. Additionally, our time in Ghana enabled us to develop unique problem-solving skills that focus on developing ideas to create an enabling business environment, which ties in brand support from beverage companies to consumers using our business as the cornerstone. This skill is extremely important because a bar-restaurant has to develop products that will thrive constantly, and we have mastered this while working in Ghana.
What role has social media played in your growth?
It has been extremely important in communicating our identity, service, and experience to target demographics. Social media platforms have helped us connect with current customers, which gives us the chance to increase frequency while extending our reach to new guests who have never heard of us or have heard but weren’t too sure what we offered. In both cases, social media has had a measurable impact on our growth.
Do you have a social impact mission?
We support Ghana-based Heal & Chill, which provides treatment and therapy programs to young women who were sexually abused. The support and resources offered by this organization are very meaningful and are making a difference, and we are proud to contribute.
What is next for Bloom Bar?
We have two big announcements. In Atlanta, we will have even more exciting entertainment by partnering with major promoters and DJs for weekday and Sunday events. And, in the next year, we will be expanding and opening locations in both Washington, D.C., and New York. Stay tuned.
What are your biggest tips for aspiring restaurateurs?
Hire well and have a plan. Even though your plan will have to be readjusted based on changes in priorities, shifts in projections, or unexpected outside events, having an initial plan will give you a baseline to pivot. And, most importantly, having a solid team will be key to staying on track and managing challenges and ultimately, to help you achieve your goals and fulfill your mission.
Tenyse Williams is an award-winning Brand Strategist, an Adjunct Instructional Specialist at Columbia University and George Washington University, and Founder & Chief Communications Officer of Verified Consulting, leading a team of digital marketing professionals amplifying awareness for their clients. Follow her on LinkedIn.
