From dream to reality: how Maral brought the flavours of Turkmenistan to London’s streets

In 2022, Maral set out to bring the vibrant flavours of Turkmenistan to London’s street food scene. Fuelled by a deep connection to her heritage, she joined the McCain Streets Ahead programme, powered by KERB+, to turn her dream into a reality.

Maral’s culinary journey began with traditional recipes passed down through generations. Her hero dish, steamed Manti dumplings, is a family favourite she learned in Turkmenistan. Determined to share this with a wider audience, she launched Ayal, her street food business. “It was my dream to have this food business,” Maral shared in a recent interview. “Streets Ahead helped me gain my dream.”

After 12 months of immersive training and mentoring, Maral pitched her business concept to McCain Foodservice Solutions in June 2023, presenting her beloved Manti dumplings. Her dedication and passion secured her the top investment of £10,000, which allowed her to fully equip Ayal and bring her vision to life.

Today, Ayal is thriving, serving traditional Turkmenistan cuisine at three KERB lunch markets in London – Fleet Place, Cowcross Yards, and Gipsy Hill. Maral has expanded her menu to include traditional palav, a savoury rice dish with lamb and chicken, showcasing the rich diversity of Turkmen cuisine.

Ayal frequently trades alongside other successful McCain Streets Ahead graduates like Samarkand Palav and UTOPIA, fostering lasting and supportive connections within the street food community.

Streets Ahead has successfully changed lives through street food. Watch Maral’s full interview here.

The McCain Streets Ahead programme, powered by KERB, has helped transform the lives of over 200 participants, with McCain investing more than £200,000 into independent start-ups. Follow Maral’s journey on her socials ayalfood.ldn or McCain’s @mccainfoodserviceuk to learn more about these inspiring businesses.

Image credit: KERB+