CHATS UNDER THE ODUM with Stephen Kojo Aidoo: What first drew you to hospitality?

People. Long before I understood wines, spirits or operations, I was fascinated by the way a simple act of welcome could transform a room. I loved the idea that food, drink and conversation could bring strangers together and make people feel at ease. Hospitality, for me, has never been about service alone; it has always been about creating experiences and connections that people remember.

Who taught you how to welcome people?

I learnt by observing people who understood generosity as a way of life. Family, mentors and many remarkable hosts I encountered throughout my journey taught me that true hospitality lies in the details – remembering a name, anticipating a need and making people feel they belong. The greatest lesson was that welcoming people is not a performance; it is a genuine expression of care.

Can hospitality be taught, or must it be felt?

Both. The technical aspects of hospitality can certainly be taught. You can teach service standards, product knowledge and operational excellence. But genuine hospitality must first be felt. You cannot train someone to care deeply about people; you can only create environments where empathy, attentiveness and generosity are encouraged. Hospitality is ultimately a disposition of the heart.

How does culture shape the way we host?

Culture shapes everything about the way we welcome people. In Ghana, hospitality is part of who we are. We invite people to sit, to eat and to feel at home before anything else. We understand that receiving people is an honour. That spirit of generosity and belonging has deeply influenced my approach to hospitality and reminds me that service is not transactional – it is cultural.

What is the hardest part of your work that people never see?

People often see the beautiful moments – the perfectly crafted drink, the successful event or the seamless guest experience. What they do not see are the long hours of preparation, the emotional labour of leading teams, the constant problem-solving and the responsibility that comes with creating memorable experiences for others. The hardest work in hospitality is often invisible.

How do you build a culture of care within your team?

You build it by living it. People cannot give what they have never received. If you want a team that cares deeply for guests, you must first care deeply for your people. I believe in mentorship, creating opportunities, listening and making people feel valued. A culture of care is built through consistency, trust and leading by example. When people feel seen and appreciated, they naturally extend that same care to everyone they serve.

Under the Odum, every alchemy tells a story. Which potion on your menu best captures yours; what is Kojo Aidoo building next?

That would be the Accra Bar Show (Aug 7 – 9 live @movenpick). It represents everything I believe hospitality should be – community, education, creativity and opportunity. As a platform it creates opportunities for people to come together to learn, share ideas and elevate the industry. In many ways, it mirrors my own journey: bringing people together and creating spaces where others can grow.

We look forward to tasting the alchemy your protégés from Front/Back Bar will pour at the next Table of Stories – Under the Odum with Chef Abiro on Wednesday, 9 July. If the cocktails carry even a trace of your spirit, every glass will surely have a story to tell.

Stephen Kojo Aidoo is Head Honcho at Accra bars, No. 19 & Front/Back.

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