Patience Ogunbanjo is a woman of many talents. While working full-time in the healthcare industry and teaching classes at Northern Arizona State University, she also manages to raise two children. On top of all that, Chef Patty, as she is affectionately known, is the proud owner of Lasgidi Cafe, the Valley’s first and only Nigerian-American food truck.
When Ogunbanjo moved from Flagstaff to Phoenix in 2016, she was excited about the prospect of increased food diversity in a big city. However, she quickly realized that there wasn’t a single Nigerian restaurant in Phoenix.
Growing up, Ogunbanjo came from a family that placed a high value on food. Her 101-year-old grandmother was an excellent cook, and Ogunbanjo was constantly surrounded by her grandmother’s restaurant and bodega.
“Food is a significant part of being West African,” says Ogunbanjo. “If you’re a West African woman and you can’t cook, you’re basically useless.”
In search of that taste of home, Ogunbanjo started cooking her old favorite recipes. She shared these dishes with friends and neighbors and brought them to events and potlucks. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with people asking for more or wanting to learn how to prepare the delicacies themselves. So, in February 2022, she took the plunge and opened Lasgidi Cafe, deriving its name from the vibrant Nigerian city of Lagos. Ever since, she has made waves in the Arizona food industry and is now looking to expand her scope.
“Starting Lasgidi Cafe allowed me to embrace the generational aspects and cultural implications of being a West African woman and a young mom,” says Ogunbanjo. “I had to stand out and fit in.”
Chef Patty’s mission with Lasgidi Cafe is to bring a sense of community to Phoenix and dispel the myths surrounding Nigerian food. She wants to make Nigerian food more relatable, offering menu options for each type of person.
“For many people, Lasgidi Cafe is their first glimpse at anything remotely African,” she says.
Lasgidi Cafe has established itself remarkably well in the Valley, receiving features across several social media platforms and news channels. However, Chef Patty identified a gap in their offerings: breakfast.
This realization led her to one of her most innovative projects yet. New this month, Lasgidi Cafe has launched a luxury floating brunch service called the Floating Feast. This new venture allows Ogunbanjo to showcase Lasgidi’s cuisine in a unique way that lunch and dinner food trucks could not.
“I’m an avid traveler. When I went to Southeast Asia, you could pay whatever amount and they’d bring you a handwoven basket that’s very buoyant. It’s large enough you can set up a nice breakfast, lunch, or dinner for when you’re in the pool,” she recalls. “Living in Arizona, where people love brunch and spending time by the pool, I thought this idea was genius. How better to take advantage of over 300 days of sunshine a year?”
The Floating Feast offers two brunch packages: the “All American,” which combines Chef Patty’s Nigerian and American influences in classic brunch dishes, like French vanilla waffles, pancakes, eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, pastries and other potential add-ons; and “The Lasgidi Brunch,” featuring delicacies such as fried or roasted yam or potatoes, Naija-style eggs in a signature spicy red sauce, Ayilata, and baked beans that draw from the English influence on African cuisine. These brunch packages are served on eye-catching floating trays accompanied by a selection of alcoholic beverages.
“You can swim and eat and sip on something refreshing,” she said. “You can take part from the comfort of your own pool. It feels like classy service, being waited on the whole time.”
Ogunbanjo believes the Floating Feast is a big move for diversity, especially in the fifth largest city in the U.S. “Any time I meet someone in Phoenix, 80% of the time they are a transplant coming from another city or state or even country,” she said. “The city is growing and thriving and there’s a gap to be filled and it needs to be filled with unique experiences and ethnic dishes. Things that make you want to wander and be curious.”
This unique offers something for all ages with a customizable menu and scenic decor that craft a one-of-a-kind experience and a cultural revolution for all to enjoy.
The brunch packages start at $125 for a two-hour experience and include food and drinks, tray rental, set up and clean up.
Chef Patty is always working on new projects, such as expanding her selection of delicious sauces and spices. You can find both of Chef Patty’s projects on Instagram under @thefloatingfeastco or @lasgidicafephx.
To find a food truck near you, visit www.lasgidicafe.com. For more information about The Floating Feast, visit www.lasgidiventures.com.
Photos courtesy Patience Ogunbanjo
