Manel Bouzerita is the Founder of Maghrebi Catering, a new North African food business in Norwich. Here, Manel explains how selling out of several items at the recent Global Village Christmas Market led her to launching the business properly
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Manel and I moved from France to the UK over 6 years ago. I am of Algerian (Kabyle) and Tunisian descent, and I am dedicated to sharing traditional foods from my countries of origin with everyone in Norwich, as these cuisines are often underrepresented. Today, I’m a full-time Content Editor while also being a young business owner in my 20s. I handle every aspect of operations for Maghrebi, including marketing, communications, planning, admin, and of course, cooking. I am passionate about cooking, and opening my own restaurant has been my dream since I was first asked ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ at the age of 6 years old.
What has brought you to Norwich and what do you love about the city?
I originally moved from Paris to London in 2019, at just 19 years old. While living in London, I completed a BA in Film while working as a nanny, a job that included cooking sophisticated and healthy dinners for the family. In 2022, I was offered a full-time job in Norwich, which I accepted immediately. I had already visited Norwich numerous times and always loved its unique small city vibe. I really love how you have access to the bustling city centre (a must for a city girl like me) but also to lovely green spaces, woods, parks, and the beach which is only 45 minutes away. The number of small businesses, diversity, local events and the sense of community that exist in Norwich are my favourite things about living here. This feeling of community and belonging is something that is rare in big cities like London and Paris.
What has led you to starting Maghrebi and what were you doing before?
Before starting Maghrebi, I was (and still am!) working as a Content Editor. I have always been a creative, enjoying writing, crocheting, playing guitar and of course cooking. I always cooked for housemates and friends, all of whom really appreciate my food and went as far as telling me that I should sell it at festivals. The idea to start my own catering business first came to me in summer 2025, when my sister-in-law asked me if I could make a huge batch of hummus and my signature tahini, kale and sweet potato salad for her wedding. People I had never met before went out of their way to find me during the reception and tell me how delicious the salad and hummus were, which made me finally realise that people didn’t just say they liked my food because we are friends or to flatter me; they really did mean it. I felt a surge of hope and inspiration and became set on starting a North African catering business with a focus on vegetarian food. This made so much sense suddenly, I always wanted my own restaurant, to cook the foods I have grown up eating for other people, and to work for myself. I started making a list of North African (or Maghrebi) recipes I wanted to make, made my friends try them, and they all loved it, so I felt that my idea had been validated and I should go ahead and establish Maghrebi properly.
How pivotal was your experience at the Norwich Global Village Christmas Market at The Forum?
This was such a crucial moment for me and Maghrebi! I had only established Maghrebi two months before the Norwich Global Village Christmas Market and as we do not have a physical location (yet), it was tough getting the word out – I had not made any sales before the market. When I first heard about the market, I immediately seized the opportunity and sent an application. The organisers were so lovely and seemed keen to have me on board. I spent weeks planning the menu and invested in marketing materials and display items to make my stall standout. I focused on making sweet treats that felt and looked Christmassy, the kind of sweets you would find on an Algerian wedding table. I also made roasted onion hummus and zaalouk, a Moroccan eggplant and tomato dip, which I thought would feel ‘safer’ to visitors and would appeal to more people. Honestly, I had zero expectations and didn’t even think I would make more than a few sales, I mostly wanted to see if people in Norwich would be interested in trying North African food at all or if it was too ‘unknown’. As it turns out, I needed to make more of almost every item after the first day of the market; people absolutely loved the food and so many were excited to try something new that they bought assortments of sweet treats. I was also really encouraged by all the support I got from other, more established vendors. At the end of it, not only had I recovered the money I invested in the market, but I had also made a decent profit, which I did not expect at all. Participating in this event showed me that the local community was interested in North African food and that Maghrebi might have a chance of making it as a catering and food delivery business in Norwich.
What kind of North African cuisine do you specialise in?
I specialise in Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian cuisines. While they share a lot of similarities, each country has its own take on every dish. For instance, Moroccan couscous tends to be sweeter with the addition of raisins, caramelised onions and almonds, while Tunisian couscous is spicier and packed with fresh vegetables. However, even within those countries, there are tribes with their own cuisine, such as the Kabyles, the Indigenous tribe I am from in Algeria. Kabyle cuisine is very wholesome, nourishing and warming and I am keen to introduce Norwich to it. My favourite Kabyle dish is Tikourbabine, which is semolina dumplings with spices, mint and aromatics, cooked in a spiced tomato and vegetable broth and served alongside it. It has such a unique taste and literally feels like it heals you from the inside out. I am planning to introduce Norwich to this dish during my next supper club, alongside several side dishes and desserts.
Will it be a home-delivery service to start with? With supper club events, too?
Currently, we are focused on home delivery, and we will be properly starting supper clubs within a month or two. For home delivery, we operate with a seasonal menu that changes every three months to make sure we can use produce that is in season and make food that feels appropriate for the current weather. For example, our current delivery menu is our vegan Winter Menu, which includes two tofu and olive batbouts (Moroccan pan-cooked bread) and a generous portion of healing, nourishing chorba frik (a hearty and spicy Algerian soup). We also offer catering for events and wedding dessert tables.
Where can people order/find out more about the supper clubs?
You can order and find out more about the supper clubs (and everything else we offer) on our newly launched website as well as on Instagram and Facebook. We are especially active on Instagram, where you can get insights into everything we do on the daily, and see what we offer and when. The supper clubs will be hosted at various venues around Norwich, and this will always be specified at the time we announce a new supper club.
What are your hopes and dreams for your new catering business?
I would love to eventually turn Maghrebi into a physical cafe/hub where people can meet up and enjoy some delicious North African food and drinks with their friends or while they are working on their laptops. I would want it to feel like a second home where everyone feels comfortable and accepted. Good food, positive vibes, laughter, love, and warmth is what North African hospitality is all about, and what Maghrebi always strives to offer. In terms of events, I’d love to expand enough to be able to take on full catering for large weddings and events, festivals, and more.
Visit Maghrebi and follow @maghrebicatering on Instagram and Facebook.
Featured images – supplied
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