First look inside Huddersfield’s new family restaurant in the town centre

A family man who fell in love with Huddersfield has opened a new restaurant in the town center with the help of his wife and four children.

Foday Janko and his wife Mariama Baldeh opened their first restaurant, Foeyams, in Huddersfield on Sunday and say they have been encouraged by the amount of support they have received from people.

The couple originally started their food business from the family home in Newsome and as it spread they branched out by opening a stall at Huddersfield Open Market and then taking their Gambian inspired food to international food markets around the country .

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Now they’re celebrating after opening their own restaurant opposite the Open Market. Foday was, until last month, a concierge at a Salvation Army home and before that was a support worker at healthcare provider Cygnet. He is now a full-time restaurant owner and manager.

The couple, along with their four children, came to Huddersfield around 15 years ago after Foday says he fell in love with the town’s “vibe” while visiting friends. He was impressed by the people and the natural environment, he says.

Foday, who is now studying for a university degree in business, said: “I came to visit Huddersfield with my missus and fell in love with the place. I fell in love with the atmosphere, the natural vibes, the people. It’s so unique.”

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She loves living in Newsome, with the countryside on her doorstep and Castle Hill a short distance away.

“It’s very beautiful,” he adds.

Foday and Mariama, who is the chef, are keen to showcase the different aspects of the cuisine of the West African nation they hail from. Their goal is to allow people to “discover the flavor of West Africa” ​​as well as serve food to those already familiar with Gambian food.

The menu includes appetizers such as lamb meatballs and dumplings, along with curried goat and benachin, a popular Gambian dish that is prepared in a pot and consists of rice, vegetables and meat that are all cooked together.

Foday and Mariama came up with the name Foeyams by taking their own nicknames and joining them together. Foday attributed the success of the food business to his wife and children, Lamin, Mohammed, Fatoumata and Sheikh.

He said: “Here (in Huddersfield) we have the opportunity to show people what we’ve got.”

Foeyams can be found on Byram Street, opposite the top entrance of Huddersfield Open Market. There is seating for 25 and a few tables outside for good weather. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

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