Our Story
Cafe Colucci serves traditional Ethiopian dishes made with fresh heirloom spices but it didn't start that way. When Cafe Colucci opened in 1991, it was a small Italian cafe that had a few Ethiopian dishes on the menu. There weren't many East African spots in Oakland at the time and people were excited to have a place to get Ethiopian food and coffee.
Founder Fetlework Tefferi has a legacy of sharing the beauty of East African cuisine and culture. In the early 90's she ran an Afrocentric night club that hosted artists from across Africa. Cafe Colucci, our restaurant was next. Most recently, Brundo Ethiopian Spice Company, was created to source the freshest traditionally processed heirloom spices.
Fetlework brought on family friend, Daniel Aderaw Yeshiwas as General Manager. In 2024 we won a few awards! Cafe Colucci recieved the Heinz Black Kitchen Initiative grant and Fetlework won a Black Women in Food Award.
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Brundo Chef Residency
The Brundo Chef Residency is open to chefs of the African diaspora offering a full service dining concept, who do not already have their own brick and mortar location.
The goal of the Brundo Residency at Cafe Colucci, is to offer up and coming chefs a chance to try concepts in a low risk setting- with a fully equipped and licensed kitchen, access to a full bar, supporting FOH staff and advising from different industry professionals.
2025 Applications open in the New Year!
Past Chef's
Chef Selasie Dotse | 2023
e le aɖe Test Kitchen
Fine dining supper club, showcasing culinary links between Africa, the American South and the global diaspora through beautifully plated menus of 8-12 courses.
Leonard Roberts III | 2024
Silent Table
A culinary function remixing Caribbean flavor profiles and Filipino classics, hosted By Leonard & his wife CoreyMarie.
Apply for 2025
Submissions open in February. We'll post full details then. Follow us on Instagram or join our newsletter to get the first announcement.
Community:
Brundo Spice Company has the freshest traditionally processed, heirloom East African spices. Brundo is an Ethiopian, woman owned company started by Fetlework Tefferi.
They ensure farmers in Ethiopia have secure access to land and resources for growing, employ 85% women and best of all - the short supply chain means employees have more equity.
Our favorite event of the year.
Cafe Colucci is serving up the party at the bar.
Mandela Partners is working to fill the gap created through deeply rooted inequities– like redlining and economic disinvestment.
We work with Mandela Partners food hub to source local produce through their food hub, Mandela Produce. We offer internships for folks participating in their Culinary Training Program. A few have become part of our permanent staff!
