Why Ariab
Inclusive & Multicultural
Ariab isn’t just for African palates. We design menus that honour your culture and welcome every guest at the table – from Zim heritage feasts to Indian, Sri Lankan and mixed‑culture celebrations, including custom dishes created just for your event.
Family‑Run, Heart‑Led
From a humble Walsall family kitchen to Melbourne events, Ariab is powered by Dave & Idi and our wider family. Every menu is cooked with the same care, generosity and laughter that built our reputation at weddings, graduations and community gatherings.
Heritage Meets Creativity
We’re committed to creating memorable experiences with food that feels like home and still surprises you. Zimbabwean staples, West African favourites and Asian‑inspired dishes sit side by side, each with Ariab’s signature twist.
Where heritage meets hospitality, and every dish tells a story.
Ariab was born in a humble family kitchen in a small town called Walsall in Birmingham (UK), where love was served on every plate and hospitality came free of charge.
For years, Dave & Idi who are the heart and soul of our family cooked for every wedding, birthday, holiday, and community celebration in our circle. Whether it was an intimate family gathering or a bustling hall of guests, their food was the centrepiece, crafted with love and shared without a second thought. People came for the occasion but remembered the food.
Father of Ariab, also the culinary visionary: Dave, was never a trained chef, nor had he worked in restaurants. Cooking was always a passion, a natural gift. He explored flavours the way an artist explores colour, trying new dishes, drawing inspiration from Asian kitchens and vibrant African food scenes, and creating an ever-evolving fusion of tastes.
One of his favourite pastimes, maybe not so much at the time. Preparing 7 to 8 different dishes at once for his pregnant wife, just to satisfy her changing cravings. This wasn’t just cooking, this was commitment to the craft.
Then came Idi’s graduation party in 2009. Among the laughter and celebration, a couple approached our founders with a request: Could they cater their wedding, a 200-person celebration? The answer was yes, never backing down from a challenge.
The couple covered the ingredients, set a generous, undisclosed price, and the magic began. The founders cooked for the evening venue and the home afterparty, dishing up meals that kept guests returning for seconds, thirds all through to the next morning.
How We Build Your Menu
Listen
Tell us about your event, culture and favourite dishes.
Create
We propose a custom menu with dishes and global twists tailored to your vision.
Taste
Obligation‑free tastings for larger events or a paid Discovery Box, credited on booking.
Celebrate
We cook, deliver and set up so you can enjoy the day.
Meet the Family
Dave
Founder, Executive Chef & Culinary Director
Dave is the father of Ariab and the creative force behind the stove. A self‑taught chef from a Walsall family kitchen, he built the menu from slow‑cooked stews and braai meats into a full African and global fusion experience. As Executive Chef, he sets the culinary vision and standards for every dish that leaves the kitchen. His favourite compliment is when guests go back for thirds and still talk about the food the next day.
Idi
Co‑Founder, Hospitality & Culinary Director
Idi is the heartbeat of Ariab – co‑founder, head chef and the person most clients first
meet. She leads the kitchen alongside Dave, manages hospitality on the floor, and oversees the behind‑the‑scenes essentials like equipment, suppliers and raw ingredients. From designing menus and tastings to sourcing the right gear and making sure every guest feels personally looked after, Idi keeps the whole experience running smoothly
from first enquiry to final plate.
Memories, smiles & second helpings
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