A mum-of-four has switched careers to open a town centre’s only African restaurant and takeaway.

Former mental health nurse Abby Adesina has set up Abby’s Kitchen in Roman Square, just off Sittingbourne High Street.

The 35-year-old moved from the Bridge Estate in Dartford to Sittingbourne with her family last July as they wanted more space.

She had been an agency worker as a nurse working in Dartford and Gravesham for eight years.

Although Abby found this line of work rewarding she wanted more time to spend with her family and so started a takeaway business from her home in 2019.

She continued the business when they moved to Great Easthall in Sittingbourne but when Abby walked down the High Street she noticed there was no African cuisine available.

She said: “When I saw no African food in the area I thought to myself why not bring it here myself?

“I had talked to my husband Moyo and decided that I would open a restaurant.

“I want to give others a view of what African cuisine is like.”

After coming up with a plan to start the business in November and getting a lease for the building, she opened on Saturday, March 2.

The Mayor of Swale, Cllr Sarah Stephen and the Mayor's Consort, Cllr Paul Stephen attended on the day, cutting the white ribbon and trying some of the food.

People can book one of three tables or the whole restaurant which also offers a takeaway service via Uber Eats.

It has 12 seats.

Since Abby opened, she says she has been “impressed by how busy it has been”.

She added: “I see customers coming back as they have told me they have been travelling to Chatham or Strood to get African food.

“They say the food is really yummy and have been giving us five-star reviews, which is encouraging.

“People have been so enthusiastic so we are happy to be here. I am so excited to be busy.”

Abby mainly serves Nigerian dishes such as Jollof rice, fried rice, meat and puff pies, hot and spicy goat meat and a range of soups including pepper soup and meat soups.

She said the pies and Jollof rice, a staple of West African cuisine, have been particular favourites of customers so far.

While Abby, who is originally from Nigeria and moved to Kent when she was aged 20, is the main cook she also has one other employee who helps her in the kitchen to whip up the fresh food.

Two other staff serve customers at the till.

Before Abby’s Kitchen opened at 65 High Street the building had been occupied by Road House, which was known for its American-style burgers and milkshakes.