Mame Hughes should know, she grew up in the West African nation of Senegal.

And now, after living in America for more than half her life she wants to bring a little of her homeland’s hospitality right here to the Triangle — in the form of food.

Later this month Hughes will open A Taste of Africa in the Morrisville Square shopping center, located off Morrisville-Carpenter Road across from the Morrisville Town Hall.

The restaurant will feature not only West African dishes but cuisine from around the continent, with explanations of the dishes’ origins and ingredients.

Hughes wanted to open her restaurant in Morrisville because of the town’s diverse population.

“The great thing about America is its diversity,” she said.

But Hughes knows that the real challenge for her restaurant may be getting people to try the food. After all Africa cuisine is one of the least represented in the Triangle.

Though filling that niche will also contribute to her success she hopes.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a big challenge … but I also believe in hard work,” she said.

The 40-year-old has believed in that hard work since she came to America as a young adult to study accounting at New York University.

That’s mainly the field that she has worked in, eventually winding up in North Carolina.

Most recently she has worked as an investment manager for a local organization.

But cooking has always been a first love, even if it can be a time consuming one.

“Our food takes forever to cook,” she said.

What will that mean for a restaurant? Lots of prep time, she said.

She also plans to have an African-style seating area in the restaurant — that means no chairs and no utensils.

Bio - Mame Hughes
Age: 40
Claim to fame: Will open A Taste of Africa restaurant in the Morrisville Square shopping center later this month.
Food for thought: Hughes will serve all sorts of African dishes in the restaurant, with many from her native west Africa that feature ingredients like yams.
More food for thought: Hughes hopes her restaurant can shed light on a little African culture as well as food.