Celebrating Amara Tarawali’s Culinary Journey
If you step into any kitchen where Amara Tarawali is working, you’ll feel the energy, dedication, and quiet determination he brings to the table. A rising star in the hospitality world, Amara is on a mission — and with every dish he preps and every shift he completes, that mission is being realised.
Introduced to Our Barn Community through the Westminster Employment SEND Team, Amara began his journey with a Friday commute all the way from Wembley to Kew, where he joined the vibrant team at Pump and Grind Community Coffee Shop at the London Museum of Water & Steam. Working alongside mentors like Andre, Sarah, and Jason, Amara quickly found his rhythm — settling in by October 2023 and becoming a much-loved team member.
Since then, his culinary world has grown far beyond Kew. Amara now commutes to Northfields and the City of London, expanding his experience and chasing bigger dreams with impressive momentum. He’s gone through interviews with employers like the House of Commons and Ark Academy, never afraid to show up and shine.
Amara’s culinary education has been hands-on and full of flavour. He completed Food Forum training with Concept Chef John, mastering foundational kitchen tasks: chopping herbs, forming burger patties, coating and frying chicken — all essential steps on the way to kitchen confidence.
By September 2024, Amara stepped up again, taking part in the Barclays Destination Hospitality programme run by Springboard, preparing him for the world of professional hospitality.
That hard work paid off when Amara secured paid employment as a Kitchen Porter — thanks to his dedication and the guidance of his mentor, Georgia from WE*ST at Westminster Archives. His new employers at Linklaters immediately noticed his strong work ethic, team spirit, and reliability. Always on time, always willing to cover shifts, Amara is proving himself to be a standout team member.
But his heart still beats strong for community. Amara continues to volunteer with the Our Barn Community team at the new Blondin Park Community Pavilion café, where his coffee-making and baking skills shine. Just today, he baked a carrot cake that looked — and smelled — absolutely divine!
Amara’s journey has been built on more than just skills — it’s been shaped by support, passion, and purpose. He shows up early, completes his opening tasks with no hesitation, and brings joy into every workspace he enters.
“I always wanted to work in a kitchen,” Amara says, “I was just looking for the right employer.”
With gratitude, Amara thanks:
- Karol at WE*ST
- His family for constant support
- Georgia at Westminster Archives for mentorship
- Robert and Filemon, his current supervisors, for their encouragement and belief in teamwork
Amara Tarawali isn’t just working in the kitchen — he’s making his mark, one plate and one smile at a time.
It so great to see Amara doing so well at the Blondin Park Community Pavilion café, and before at the Pump&Grind Café. The most reliable, hard-working and dedicated individual I had a pleasure of working with. Good job on balancing your day-to-day work as KP and volunteering at the café.
Well done Amara.