In Baltimore, the aroma of Nigerian spices is drawing crowds—not from a restaurant, but from the side of a food truck. Behind the wheel and the stove is Jemimah Yakubu, better known as Chef Mimah, who swapped her path to law school for a passion that began in a college dorm room.
While studying to become an attorney, Yakubu often cooked for friends. Their enthusiastic feedback sparked a realization: her culinary skills could be more than a hobby. In 2023, she hit pause on her legal ambitions to launch Mimah’s African Cuisine, a food truck serving favorites like Jollof Rice and Egusi.
“I wanted to share Nigerian cuisine in places where it isn’t really accessible,” she explained. “That’s why I chose a food truck instead of a restaurant—so I could bring the food to different communities.”
The gamble has paid off. In just two years, her truck has become a fixture at Baltimore festivals, including Afram, winning hearts and palates with bold flavors and a cultural touch. For Yakubu, the joy comes in watching newcomers taste Nigerian food for the first time.
“It’s always exciting when someone says it’s their first time trying it,” she said with a smile.
Yet, Yakubu’s dream isn’t confined to the kitchen. She still works as a part-time paralegal and plans to resume law school, proving her commitment to balancing both passions.
“Long-term, I want to become an attorney,” she noted. “But I’m going to keep the business growing, maybe even expand with more food trucks across Maryland.”
For the Nigerian-born entrepreneur, her journey is about more than food—it’s a living example of the American Dream, blending education, entrepreneurship, and ambition into one flavorful story.