ONES TO WATCH
DO ME A FLAVOUR Guildhall of fame A STELLAR FUSION FOOD OFFERING FROM MOTHER-AND-SON DUO ORLENE AND LEON HAS FINALLY LANDED IN THE CITY CENTRE
food is inspired by Leon’s visits to the US, combining the likes of wings, burgers and loaded fries with rice and peas, jerk chicken, curry goat and dumplings. “When I started cooking in my mom’s kitchen again, I thought it would be amazing to fuse her Jamaican food with what I’ve picked up from the US and through working with other restaurants,” explains Leon. “It was something that kind of took off, as there was nowhere else you could get these things together.” The pair will continue catering (now fuelling attendees of Guildhall events) and keep up their takeaway hubs from Milton and The Empress pub (available on Sundays and Mondays). They have plans to marry grub with their musical backgrounds, too, hosting events for an all-round good time. “I grew up in a gospel church, my father’s a minister in a Pentecostal setting,” clarifies Leon. “My brother’s a professional singer, Mum’s always led a choir. It’s always been evident in our lives.” Leon and his brother are well-known on the Cambridge music circuit, performing live at La Raza. “Having this iconic space in The Guildhall, we definitely want to bring music into play,” he enthuses. “Music and food go extremely well together.”
ormerly tucked away in Milton Country Park, a beloved eatery has taken up residence at the beating heart of Cambridge’s culinary scene. During lockdown,
mother and son Orlene and Leon – recently returned from the US – resumed cooking together just as they had done throughout Leon’s childhood – and so Orlene’s Kitchen was born. “I was forced into the kitchen growing up by my dear, lovely mother,” laughs Leon. “My mum doesn’t like chopping. I was the eldest. But, you know, it’s funny because something I used to hate has turned into a passion. I’m a big boy and I love my food. So, I was like, if I can get this thing done quicker, so be it.” A takeaway service came first, then the duo began catering for events. “After a couple of months, it got to the stage where we had to move out of my kitchen,” recalls Orlene. Now, she and Leon look forward to taking up new cafe headquarters over at The Guildhall, near the city’s gastronomic epicentre, Cambridge Market. “It’s good we’re in the centre, serving the community – people coming in can sample what we do,” says Orlene. Fusing Jamaican flavours with American fare, the
GOOD VIBES Orlene’s Kitchen blends Jamaican flavours with stateside fast food classics
Through working with schools in Cambridgeshire and charities like Romsey Mill, Leon and Orlene hope to champion community causes from their new base. “We want it to be somewhere we can highlight issues close to our hearts – somewhere inclusive, where people feel comfortable to chill, eat, drink and hopefully share, too,” says Leon. “A big reason we wanted to take the space was having that community feel within the building, which I’m hoping should radiate outside and attract people to us.” Winning acclaim in Milton so far, Orlene’s Kitchen has tempted many a footgolf player with enticing smells from its food van. “We’ve survived two years and still have customers,” says Orlene. “I think it’s our flavours that attract people.” With a more permanent location in the city centre, it’s sure to be a brilliant and delicious future for this foodie favourite.
I was forced into the kitchen growing up – Mum doesn’t like chopping
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