Does Man Must Wak do catering, and are they available on my date?

Yes, Man Must Wak is registered for catering and/or vending events on Roaming Hunger. In terms of availability, we don't manage their calendar. The best way to find out if they're available is to fill out your event information and see if they respond.

Is Man Must Wak available in my city?

Man Must Wak has a home base in Albany and surrounding areas. Keep in mind that for catering, they may add a travel fee if it's outside of their normal travel radius.

What type of food does Man Must Wak serve?

Man Must Wak serves the following cuisine types: African, Bowls, Empanadas, Savory

What types of services (equipment) does Man Must Wak have?

Man Must Wak has the following types of services: Full Service, Dropoff

Man Must Wak

African, Bowls, Empanadas, Savory, Albany Food Trucks

Full Service Catering, Drop Off Catering

Albany, CA

28+ Years in business

Super Great For

Indoor Events
Fancy Affairs
On-Set Catering
Corporate Catering

Yes, our name itself is our message: “Man Must Wak,” which means “man must eat.” It’s a reminder that food is essential, comforting, and brings people together regardless of background. Our customers remember us for delivering authentic African and Caribbean flavors that nourish both the body and the soul.

Nkem (Queenkay) Anadu of Man Must Wak

Man Must Wak Menu

Appetizers

Chicken Meat Pie

Flaky, golden pastry filled with savory, seasoned chicken simmered with aromatic spices and herbs, baked to perfection for a rich, satisfying bite. A warm, comforting favorite with a crisp crust and flavorful, hearty center.

Jamaican Beef Patties

Flaky, golden pastry filled with richly seasoned ground beef simmered with aromatic spices and herbs, baked to perfection for a bold, savory bite. A flavorful favorite with a crisp crust and warm, satisfying center.

Jamaican Chicken Patties

Flaky, golden pastry filled with tender, seasoned chicken simmered with aromatic spices and herbs, baked to perfection for a rich, savory bite. A warm, flavorful favorite with a crisp crust and satisfying, well-seasoned center.

Fish Meat Pie

Flaky, golden pastry filled with savory, seasoned fish simmered with aromatic spices and herbs, baked to perfection for a rich, satisfying bite. A warm, comforting favorite with a crisp crust and flavorful, delicate center.

Beef Meat Pie

Flaky, golden pastry filled with savory, seasoned beef simmered with aromatic spices and herbs, baked to perfection for a rich, satisfying bite. A warm, comforting favorite with a crisp crust and flavorful, hearty center.

Rice Entrees

Rice & Peas

Traditional Caribbean rice cooked with kidney beans, coconut milk, thyme, and island spices. Creamy, aromatic, and the perfect complement to any entrée.

Shrimp Fried Rice

Premium fried rice tossed with succulent shrimp and mixed vegetables, seasoned with aromatic spices for a rich, savory taste. A satisfying and elevated crowd favorite.

Jollof Rice

Authentic West African long-grain rice slow-cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce, infused with onions, herbs, and traditional spices. Bold, flavorful, and a guest favorite at corporate events and gatherings.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Fragrant rice stir-fried with mixed vegetables including carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet corn, seasoned with savory spices and herbs. A delicious vegetarian option full of flavor and color.

Hot Entrees

Goat & Jollof Rice

Tender, seasoned goat slow-simmered in our signature tomato and red bell pepper sauce, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice infused with rich spices and bold, smoky flavor. A deeply savory and satisfying classic, crafted to deliver rich taste and unforgettable flavor in every bite.

Beef & Jollof Rice

Tender, seasoned beef slow-simmered in our signature tomato and red bell pepper sauce, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice infused with rich spices and bold, smoky flavor. A hearty, satisfying classic packed with deep flavor and crafted to deliver comfort and unforgettable taste in every bite.

Jerk Chicken with Fried Plantains

Tender, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a bold blend of jerk spices and herbs, delivering rich, smoky flavor with just the right balance of heat. Served with golden, sweet fried plantains for a perfect contrast of savory and sweet. A vibrant, satisfying favorite crafted to deliver unforgettable flavor in every bite.

Moi Moi

A 12oz portion of steamed bean pudding made from blended beans and rich spices, delicately prepared to a smooth, flavorful texture and garnished with boiled egg. A savory, protein-rich favorite that is both wholesome and deeply satisfying.

Grilled Salmon Fillet & Jollof Rice

Perfectly grilled salmon fillet, seasoned and slow-simmered in our signature tomato and red bell pepper sauce, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice infused with rich spices and bold, smoky flavor. Accompanied by golden, sweet fried plantains and a vibrant sauté of fresh spinach and kale, lightly seasoned to complement the richness of the dish. A complete, premium platter that delivers bold flavor, balance, and an elevated dining experience in every bite.

Chicken & Jollof Rice

Tender, seasoned chicken slow-simmered in our signature tomato and red bell pepper sauce, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice infused with rich spices and bold, smoky flavor. A vibrant, crowd-favorite classic that delivers warmth, depth, and unforgettable taste in every bite.

Protein Entrees

Peppered Beef

Tender beef sautéed with peppers, onions, and bold spices in a rich pepper sauce. A premium entrée perfect for executive meetings and special events.

Stewed Beef

Slow-cooked beef simmered in a rich, savory gravy with herbs and spices until tender. Hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

Stewed Chicken

Tender chicken slow-braised in a savory, well-seasoned sauce with herbs, onions, and peppers. Juicy, comforting, and full of rich Caribbean flavor.

Peppered Chicken

Tender chicken sautéed in a bold, mildly spicy pepper sauce with onions and traditional spices. Flavorful, vibrant, and a popular favorite.

Drinks

D&G Ginger Beer

Green Ting

Grapefruit soda

Hatuey Malta

Malta Guinness

Maltex Malt

Power Malt

Vitamalt Classic

Vitamalt Ginger

Schweppes Bitter Lemon

Ginger Ale

Coke

Pepsi

Sprite

Bottled Water

Meet Nkem (Queenkay) Anadu

What is your favorite dish on the menu?

My favorite dish is our Jollof Rice and Jerk Chicken Combo. It beautifully brings together West African and Caribbean flavors, which represents who we are as a brand. The rich, smoky jerk chicken paired with our flavorful, slow-cooked jollof rice creates a bold and unforgettable experience. It’s the perfect marriage of two cultures and one of the dishes our customers love most.

What is the story behind your business' name?

The name “Man Must Wak” comes from West African Pidgin English, where it literally means “man must eat,” no matter your station in life. It reflects a universal truth that food is essential to survival, dignity, and community. Our business was built on that spirit of resilience and perseverance. After the loss of my first husband, I chose to continue growing the business to support my family and serve our community. “Man Must Wak” represents strength, culture, and purpose. It is a reminder that no matter what life brings, we must continue to rise, provide, and move forward.

Where did you learn to cook?

I learned to cook through years of hands-on experience, culture, and passion, and I consider myself an incredibly skilled sous chef. However, the true star behind our kitchen is Chef Denny G (Dennis Itua). He grew up watching his father run hotels, restaurants, and a bakery, so the culinary world was ingrained in him from a very young age. Cooking is not just a skill for him, it is his destiny and his passion. He has been cooking since he was a boy and brings deep knowledge, authenticity, and love into every dish we serve. Together, we are committed to delivering food that reflects both tradition and excellence.

Why did you decide to start your business?

I decided to continue and grow this business out of purpose, responsibility, and love for my family and culture. After the loss of my first husband, I was faced with the choice to either let everything we built fade or rise and carry it forward. I chose to rise. This business became a way to support my family, preserve our cultural heritage, and serve our community. Over time, it has grown into something much greater, a platform to share authentic African and Caribbean cuisine, create opportunities for others, and build a lasting legacy.

Who encouraged you the most to start your own business?

The business was originally founded with my late husband, whose vision and belief laid the foundation. After his passing, I made the decision to continue building it. Over the past decade, my husband Chef Denny G (Dennis Itua) has been an incredible force in elevating and expanding the business. His culinary leadership, dedication, and passion have helped move us forward in powerful ways. Together, their influence and encouragement have shaped the journey and growth of our business.

What's your favorite event that you've catered for?

One of my favorite events to cater was a large community and corporate gathering where we were able to introduce many people to African and Caribbean cuisine for the first time. Seeing guests experience dishes like jollof rice and jerk chicken and watching their reactions was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t just about the food, it was about sharing culture, creating connection, and leaving a lasting impression. Those moments remind us why we do what we do.

What is your favorite dish on the menu?

What is the story behind your business' name?

Where did you learn to cook?

Why did you decide to start your business?

Who encouraged you the most to start your own business?

What's your favorite event that you've catered for?

What is your favorite dish on the menu?

About Man Must Wak

Women Owned
Minority Owned
Black Owned
Immigrant Owned
Family Business
Mom & Pop Business

Man Must Wak in Oakland, CA brings over 28 years of experience serving authentic African and Caribbean cuisine through reliable dropoff catering. Founded in 1998, this Bay Area staple has grown from a specialty grocery into a high volume catering operation known for consistency, professionalism, and deeply rooted culinary tradition. With established kitchens and a seasoned team, Man Must Wak delivers for corporate events, private gatherings, and large group functions with ease and precision.

The menu features crowd favorites like jerk chicken, jollof rice, and beef suya, alongside hearty options such as chicken and jollof rice, goat and jollof rice, and grilled salmon with jollof rice. Appetizers keep things interesting with beef meat pie, chicken meat pie, and Jamaican beef patties, while sides like fried plantains, rice and peas, and vegetable fried rice round out the spread. Every dish is prepared with authentic ingredients sourced directly through their grocery operations, bringing depth and character to each order.

Man Must Wak stands out in Oakland catering by combining cultural authenticity, efficient service, and scalable execution for events of any size. From office lunches to large celebrations, their team delivers meals that arrive fresh, organized, and ready to impress, creating a seamless experience hosts can count on every time.

Book catering for your next event

Protected by our 100% Roaming Hunger Service Guarantee