About us

At Loaf & Ember, we believe that the best things often start small. What may seem like “just banana bread” represents resilience, friendship, and new beginnings.

We are Elsa Okeke and Vanessa Nongo, two friends who moved from Nigeria to the UK. Like many others starting anew, we navigated the challenges of finding work, building a community, and creating a sense of belonging.

Elsa’s always got a spark of genius, buzzing with fresh ideas and ready to turn them into something special. Vanessa’s the life of the party, loves bringing folks together for a good time, and isn’t afraid to jump in and get stuff done. Together, we’ve found strength in our partnership: one of us pushing the vision forward while the other brings people and energy into the room.

Banana bread became our unexpected bond. Ironically, Elsa didn’t even like it at first, and her early attempts at baking were complete disasters. However, with each “failed” loaf came valuable lessons, refinements, and eventually a recipe that our friends and family couldn’t stop raving about. They became our biggest cheerleaders, reminding us that what we created was special.

That’s how Loaf & Ember was born — not just from flour and bananas, but from persistence, laughter, shared emotions, and the courage to keep starting again. 

For us, banana bread is more than just food; It is an undeniable spark. It brings people together, keeps conversations flowing, and reminds us all that beginnings don’t have to be perfect — they just need to be embraced.

Our vision extends beyond just the bread. We aim to grow Loaf & Ember into an international African-inspired café chain, a space that celebrates culture, resilience, and connection. No matter how far we grow, we will always return to that first loaf — proof that small beginnings can lead to unimaginable journeys.

Welcome to Loaf & Ember. Grab a slice, join the conversation, and let’s grow together.