AN Afro-Caribbean restaurant and bar is to open in Worcester after a soft launch bringing more exotic flavours to the city and a blending of cultural cuisines. 

Origin restaurant and bar is to open at 22 Foregate Street in Worcester opens today (Friday), welcoming customers as we reveal its dramatic look.

Worcester News: HERE: Origin goes back to the roots of African and Caribbean cuisine HERE: Origin goes back to the roots of African and Caribbean cuisine (Image: Joel Davies Photography (supplied by Vicky Cullen))

Free desserts are being offered with mains and starters as part of an opening promotion.

Photos, provided by owner Victoria Cullen, show how the decor captures traditional African and Caribbean heritage.

We have previously reported how work was proceeding apace at the former Cafe Mela which was an Indian restaurant before its transformation. 

An opening party took place on Saturday, February 3.

Worcester News: OPEN: Vicky Cullen, owner and chef, outside Origin in Foregate Street, Worcester OPEN: Vicky Cullen, owner and chef, outside Origin in Foregate Street, Worcester (Image: Joel Davies Photography (supplied by Vicky Cullen))

The first customers through the doors will be able to try dishes from across Africa and the Caribbean including goat curry, Ackee and saltfish and jollof rice.

Tunisian and Nigerian traditions are also expected to feature on the menu with the restaurant an expression of her own heritage and family culinary traditions.

Born in Nigeria, her nan had both Nigerian and Caribbean heritage and her father is Nigerian while her mum is mixed race.

Worcester News: ATMOSPHERE: Origin restaurant and bar in Foregate Street in Worcester ATMOSPHERE: Origin restaurant and bar in Foregate Street in Worcester (Image: Joel Davies Photography (supplied by Vicky Cullen))

The restaurant can serve around 80 people. The price range will be between around £8 and £12 for starters and between £16 and £35 for main courses. The aim is to capture not only the taste of Africa and the Caribbean but also the look and feel of more exotic climes.

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However, the idea is it will be fusion food blending different culinary traditions with steak and pasta dishes also on the menu.

Mrs Cullen said: "I'm trying to bring different cultures together and reflect the diversity of Worcester. This is my second business and I have been in the catering business for 10 years. I'm excited and looking forward to bringing new dishes to Worcester which celebrate the diversity of the city."

The bar will also serve a range of drinks and cocktails including rums, gins, Birra Moretti, Red Stripe Jamaican lager and a variety of ciders and soft drinks.

Mrs Cullen, 44, was the chef at the Red Lion in Holt Heath from 2016 to 2019.