The rear of the Mae-Jah Munch truck reading "Real Flavour. Big Vibes."

Our story

Rooted in Flavour.
Built for the Streets.

Mae-Jah Munch was inspired by our children, Maeva and Elijah, whose names helped create the brand. What started as a dream to build something for our family has grown into a mission to bring people together through bold flavour, culture and community.

Our food is shaped by generations of family cooking. From my mother's Zimbabwean roots to my father's Grenadian heritage, many of the flavours, techniques and recipes that inspire our menu have been passed down through family kitchens over the years. Combined with Mediterranean influences and a passion for great street food, those traditions form the foundation of Mae-Jah Munch.

Growing up in an Islamic household also shaped the values behind the business. Food was never just about eating — it was about hospitality, family gatherings, community and showing care for the people around you. Those values remain at the heart of everything we do.

Based in Ashford, Kent, Mae-Jah Munch brings together African, Caribbean and Mediterranean influences to create food that's rooted in heritage but built for today's streets. From flame-grilled chicken and loaded fries to smash burgers and street-food classics, every dish is cooked fresh, built properly and made without shortcuts.

This journey starts with a food truck, but the vision is bigger. We're building a brand rooted in flavour, culture and family — and we're inviting you to follow the journey with us from the very beginning.

Real Flavour. Big Vibes. Feed the Streets.

Meet the owner

The face behind the grill

Mikhail James, founder of Mae-Jah Munch, in the kitchen

I'm Mikhail

Founder, Mae-Jah Munch

Like many people, I spent years dreaming about building something of my own — not just a business, but something that reflected who I am, where I come from, and what I want to leave behind for my family.

Mae-Jah Munch is named after my children, Maeva and Elijah, who inspired me to take that leap. They are the reason this journey began and the reason I keep pushing forward.

My roots stretch from Zimbabwe on my mother's side to Grenada on my father's side, and many of the flavours that inspire our menu come from recipes, techniques and traditions passed down through generations of family cooking. Growing up in an Islamic household also taught me the importance of hospitality, community and bringing people together around good food.

Those influences shaped the vision behind Mae-Jah Munch: bold Afro-Caribbean and Mediterranean-inspired street food, cooked fresh, served with pride, and built around real flavour.

Today, I'm working to turn that vision into reality — building the truck, refining the menu, and creating a brand that my family can be proud of. Every step of the journey is about more than food. It's about creating opportunities, building a legacy, and sharing the flavours and cultures that helped shape me.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

— Mikhail James
Founder, Mae-Jah Munch

The concept

Two worlds, one grill

Jerk × Moroccan
Chakalaka × Masala
Smoky heat × Aromatic spice