Carol Waithera, a trained lawyer from Kenya, left her home country in 2006 with a German man she met and later married, embarking on a remarkable new chapter in her life.
Upon arriving in Germany, Waithera experienced significant culture shock, particularly due to the language barrier, which hindered her ability to practice law.
In an interview with Chams Media, Waithera recounted her journey from Kenya and her adaptation to life in Germany over the past 15 years.
“Back in Kenya, I loved cooking. Whenever we had parties at home, everyone knew Carol was cooking. I never imagined it would become my profession,” she shared.
In 2017, Waithera founded Restaurant La[Kula], introducing Kenyan delicacies to the local German community. She honed her culinary skills from chefs at her previous job and later pursued a three-year certification course to formalize her expertise.
The restaurant’s name, La[Kula], is intentionally styled artistically to encourage communal dining experiences.
“I open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Throughout these days, we offer a variety of cuisines, and on Sundays, we serve a Nairobi brunch featuring dishes commonly eaten for breakfast in Kenya,” she explained.
Located in Schermbeck, the restaurant can accommodate around 100 people indoors and approximately 300 outdoors in the garden. Additionally, it offers a few rooms for visitors who wish to stay overnight.
“The cooking is unique. I don’t want you to just eat the food; I want you to feel the love. I will dance and laugh with you, and you will always remember me,” Waithera said in her interview with Chams Media.
Over the years, her restaurant has seen significant growth, and she now aspires to start a podcast focusing on the experiences of those living abroad.
