Hey all, I’m Xaya, the owner of Artkafe Sal, in Santa Maria. I was born in the vibrant city of Rotterdam, where the Queen of Holland herself rolled out the welcome mat for immigrants like us. You could say I hit the jackpot, being born in 010-Rotterdam, back when it was all happening.
My folks, immigrants from Cabo Verde, left their homeland for a brighter future, to support our extended family back home. Growing up, our house was a symphony of music and the aroma of delicious Morabeza food. My old man was a musical maestro, while my mom sang like an angel when she wasn’t whipping up feasts for all the visitors who came to jam around our big table. Guitars, percussion, ukuleles, harmonicas, and don’t forget the Grogue (Cape Verdean rum) – it was a daily party.
Mom was no slouch either; she crafted wedding cakes and catered for massive gatherings of 500 people. As a kid, I soaked it all in, never imagining I’d become an artist, but in the end, I did, just in the kitchen.
People who know me remember me from Zion Lounge, a place I owned with my amazing husband, Vadu. He was a fantastic singer and composer, but life had other plans, and he left us too soon. He had three albums under his belt and one that never saw the light of day. “Palacios da cultura” and “ILDO LOBO”. Our hits were Preta mode boy and Dixi Rubera.
In the tiny space of a one-by-one-meter spencer tucked beside a massive bar, I installed a stove. It was cramped, but I turned my wildest dreams into reality. This is where “WHERE FOOD MEETS ART” was born. For six years, I was a fixture in the Palace of Culture, serving up the first-ever vegan food on the island, alongside a daily dose of art and live music. It was the place to be.
In 2016, destiny led me to Sal, where I took over Kaza d’ Artista. Here, I continued to live my dream of combining food and art. We showcased the incredible @kikilima, selling hundreds of his breathtaking paintings. The first floor was a canvas for his art.
My flavors, seasonings, and culinary influences are as diverse as the world itself. Just like the people of Cape Verde, we’re a unique blend of African roots with a dash of European flair.
In a nutshell, I’m a self-taught chef who’s carved out her own unique style in the kitchen. Everything I know and do, I learned from the best – my mom, Julia Pires Spencer, my grandmother Antonia Julia, and my mother-in-law Maria Lima xx
Feel free to send me a message below if you require and further information etc
Artkafesal 