African Grill & Bar Celebrates 20 Years of Culinary & Community Impact

Each morning from Monday to Saturday, the vibrant energy of African Grill & Bar (AGB) welcomes visitors to take part in a unique dining experience. “AKWAABA is our way of welcoming you,” says the restaurant’s website, with an official greeting expression meaning “Welcome” in the twi Ghanaian language to evoke feelings of love, care, trust, freedom and honor.

Just inside the eatery’s front doors, hungry guests are greeted by delectable fragrances and a warmth that emanates from Sylvester and Theodora Adua Osei-Fordwuo, the proud husband-and-wife duo behind the culinary haven. On July 28, friends and supporters of the establishment will recognize its 20-year anniversary – a milestone occasion celebrating the hard work and dedication of its founders.

Located at 955 South Kipling Parkway, AGB is not just a restaurant; it’s a cultural landmark, offering an array of exotic cuisines from all corners of Africa. The Lakewood restaurant offers a seating capacity of 200 with two dining rooms and catering services for all occasions. Remarkably, after 20 years in operation, it holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in the United States to serve such a diverse range of African cuisines, bringing the rich flavors of East, West, North, South and Central Africa to Colorado’s front range.

The Osei-Fordwuo Family’s Journey

The story of AGB is deeply intertwined with the Osei-Fordwuo family’s journey from Ghana to America. Twenty years ago, the couple left their home in Ghana to pursue a new life in the U.S. Their dream of owning a restaurant began in 2003, and by 2004, they embarked on the challenging, yet rewarding path of restaurant ownership.

Mrs. Osei-Fordwuo explains her early belief that journeying from Africa to North America would be smooth and easy, with minimal challenges. However, she says that the reality of immigration was not that simple.

“Growing up I thought that what a man can do, a woman can also do,” she reflects. “It was a different story. I decided that I did not want to sit in the house and be a housewife. So, I had to do something.”

Initially, she planned to return to school to change her career. “Back in Ghana, I worked as a business administrator,” she says, explaining that her business acumen was ultimately redirected to an exciting new venture. “I knew God had a plan for me, and this was to use my God-given talent of cooking. With the help of my husband, this led us to open the African Grill and Bar.”

The firstborn daughter of the Fanti Tribe in Ghana learned to cook at the young age of seven. She continued into adolescence, preparing food for her uncle and friends as a high school student. Her uncle complimented her cooking, and advised her father to enroll her in a culinary program. Despite her father’s aspirations for his daughter to become an engineer, her culinary skills flourished and laid the foundation for her career into adulthood.

Mr. Osei-Fordwuo moved to the U.S. in 2000. Like his wife, he’d discovered his passion for cooking early in life, inspired by his mother and six sisters.

Overcoming Challenges

Starting a restaurant was far from easy. The Osei-Fordwuo family faced numerous hardships including high rent and economic instability, which led to temporary closures throughout the years. However, their resilience and commitment kept the dream alive. During tough times, they continued to serve the community, catering events and even delivering food to universities from their home.

“When God is involved, nothing stops you,” says the family matriarch. “We made a name for ourselves and stumbled during hard times. However, we had a reputation that drew our customers regardless,” she proudly exclaims.

In 2009, the couple opened the first brick-and-mortar location of AGB near the intersection of Mississippi and Peoria in Aurora. After relocating to Lakewood nearly a decade later, the menu still features African staples such as fufu, jollof rice and an array of meat, fish, chicken and vegetarian dishes, all prepared with fresh, imported African spices.

AGB’s ingredients are all made on-site, giving them a rich, home-cooked taste. None of the meals are cooked with dairy products, flour or sugar.

One of the most requested dishes is a West African jollof rice, stewed in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with onions and spices, sometimes served with meat or vegetables. They also serve delicious appetizers such as samosas, with seasoned meat, fish, chicken or vegetables baked into a soft, crispy crust and presented with a habanero pepper-based dipping sauce.

The entire AGB menu is filled with exotic dishes such as South African “pap” and drinks like the Ghana Must Go rum cocktail, which have excited the taste buds and thrilled the senses of patrons for two decades.

“I believe in quality, not quantity,” says Mrs. Osei-Fordwuo with a smile.

A Vision for the Future

The Osei-Fordwuo’s vision extends beyond their restaurant. As they celebrate 20 years of food service, the couple is also preparing for the launch of the Osei-Fordwuo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building schools and supporting young women in Ghana.

On July 28, AGB will host an anniversary celebration with a fundraiser to support the new foundation’s initiatives from 2pm to 6pm. Proceeds from table sponsorships, donations and food sales will benefit the “Infant for Christ” Roman Catholic society, located in the Upper Denkyira district in the Central Region of Ghana, which suffers from inadequate resources and infrastructure. Along with its goal to build a school in the deprived community, the foundation will also provide essential technology, clothing and hygiene products to young women in underprivileged areas.

Noting that simple essentials such as undergarments and other products are often out of reach for young women in Ghana, Mrs. Osei-Fordwuo says, “My goal is to empower women. We believe that together we stand, and divided we fall.”

After 20 years working in the food service industry, her advice to aspiring restaurateurs and business owners is to remain consistent, surround themselves with supportive people and never give up.

“We have been consistent since 2004 and never stopped though we have faced many challenges and obstacles,” says Mr. Osei-Fordwuo, with his wife adding, “We did everything ourselves.”

A Community Celebration

The Osei-Fordwuo family’s dedication to their community and their unwavering spirit have made AGB a beacon of cultural richness and resilience. Along with specialized African cuisines, the establishment features music, drummers and dancers to create an exceptional dining experience. The husband-and-wife business owners have set AGB apart by offering immersive cultural opportunities not found anywhere else.

To extend their impact and influence, the pair can be heard on KUVO Jazz 89.3 FM during “The Morning Set,” on weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m.

Friends, supporters and food-enthusiasts are invited to help celebrate AGB’s incredible journey and support the Osei-Fordwuo’s on July 28 as they enter a third decade of service and work toward their mission to empower, uplift and transform the lives of others.

Editor’s Note: For more information , visit www.africangrilllakewood.com.