PHILADELPHIA – Reading Terminal Market today announced its newest merchant, Sekela Kitchen, which will be the non-profit public market’s first Ethiopian cuisine offering. Described as a fast-casual and approachable option to the African fare, Sekela Kitchen will serve authentic dishes including doro wat, injera, and sambusa with a build-your-own bowl-style menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“Sekela Kitchen is bringing a new type of cultural cuisine packed with flavor to Reading Terminal Market. One of my greatest goals in leadership here is to continue expanding the diversity of our offerings, and we are excited to do just that with an Ethiopian menu,” said Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager, Reading Terminal Market Corporation. “Marta is a friendly face that’s already well-known around the Market as a loyal customer. The understanding of our business and visitors that gives her will certainly be a benefit as a merchant.”
Sekela Kitchen’s menu will feature a large selection of the vegan and vegetarian items Ethiopian cuisine is known for, as well as meat-based dishes. Customers will be presented with their choice of base, protein, and vegetables to build flavorful bowls that match their cravings. A selection of specialty dishes will feature traditional fare including doro wot, a spicy chicken stew, kitfo sandwich with marinated beef and caramelized onions, sambusa, a savory filled pastry, and katega, toasted injera layered with spiced butter and herbs.
Owner Marta Kebede grew up in the kitchen of her mother’s restaurant in Ethiopia and most recently served as manager of Era, an Ethiopian restaurant in Philadelphia’s Brewerytown neighborhood. After arriving to America in 2007, she worked for years in a variety of businesses in the area surrounding Reading Terminal Market including what is now The Fashion District. In 2017, Kebede set her sights on becoming a business owner in Philadelphia’s historic public Market and after years of financial preparation and business planning delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, her dream is becoming a reality.
“I love Reading Terminal Market. Working in the area for so many years, I already have a lot of relationships in the building and can’t wait to formally be a part of it as a business owner,” said Kebede. “My goal is to introduce the Market’s customers to my cultural cuisine and also give Philadelphia’s robust Ethiopian communities a taste of home right in the heart of Center City.”
Sekela Kitchen is expected to open this spring.
