Tutu Melaku

Owner and chef at Tutu’s Ethiopian Table in Palmer Park, Tutu Melaku has been nominated for the Hospitality Award, say nominators, for her kindhearted concern for others, her delicious food, her community involvement and her contribution to the cultural life of the town.

Customers have put her forward for the award sponsored by Cream Design, inspired by and in memory of Hilary Scott, for her exceptional customer service, teamwork and dedication to quality.

Nominators said Tutu's café “is an inclusive safe space, where everyone is given a warm welcome.

“She opens on Christmas day to serve coffee and mince pies to those that may be lonely. Tutu is at the heart of the local community, fundraising and showcasing Reading.”

Another said: “Tutu is an exceptional welcomer, encourager and inspirational presence in East Reading. Her café has become a hub for numerous local initiatives, including our monthly open mike night. She also welcomes and encourages people of all backgrounds, ages and faiths and helps build a sense of community that’s special.”

They added: “She is a remarkable person full of humour, life and positivity and worthy of this nomination.”

A couple, who first met Tutu when she provided food at The Global Cafe/bar part of Reading International Solidarity Centre, lunch at the café once a week.

“Tutu has made the café a base for a whole array of community groups such as 60+ Exercise, Community Coffee Morning Group, Redlands W.I, Spanish Group, Reddy Walkers, Wednesday Walkers, Reading Park Run, Open Mic Night, Walk Talk Walk and others,” they said.

Poetry In The Park meets there on Saturday morning and Tutu’s Open Mic on the first Friday of the month welcomes performers.

“To date all 28 monthly evenings have included at least one newcomer in the line-up and every musical genre you can think of, from folk, country and pop to classical, opera and musical traditions from around the world, all based in and around the town,” they added.

Another customer said: “Tutu is such a good woman and proud of her Ethiopian heritage. Each year she holds an Ethiopian tea ceremony for regulars and visitors, and many of us head to the café for a late morning coffee on Christmas Day.” 

They praised her fundraising to support the education of children in Ethiopia and her befriending of local seniors who live on their own. “A man who used to live in the old police house next to the café was regularly welcomed into the café and provided with a lunch until he died last year,” they said.

The café owner who has a van from which she serves meals at events around Reading is holding her second annual Tutu’s Community Festival outside the cafe “welcoming members of all the different groups she looks after”.

Another nominator: “I believe that Tutu’s warm and bubbly nature and her kind-hearted concern for others both locally and abroad, her delicious food and sauces (which can be bought at the café and a number of independent outlets in the area), her community involvement and fostering of a whole range of local groups and her contribution to the cultural life of the town all commend her to be recognised in the Pride of Reading Awards this year.”

Tutu has also been nominated for Independent Retailer, sponsored by REDA and Reading BID.