Chef
Oumar Diouf
Chef Oumar Diouf is one of the most internationally trained culinary voices in American kitchens — a Senegalese-born chef whose career spans four continents and culminates in Miami, where his vision for The Damel is finally realized at its fullest.
His culinary foundation was built across Senegal, Argentina, and Brazil — where he discovered that 80% of Bahian cuisine traces its roots to West Africa. That realization became The Damel: the first restaurant to honor that lineage openly, on a plate.
In 2016, Chef Diouf led kitchen operations for 5,000 guests daily at the Rio Olympics. In 2017, he founded The Damel in Oakland, growing it to a multi-location brand. Today, he brings that same vision — elevated, sophisticated, and perfectly positioned — to Miami.
The Afro-Brazilian Street Food King Of Oakland — Street Food Icons · Munchies / Vice
Miami,
Florida.
Miami is one of America's most dynamic culinary cities — a global crossroads where African diaspora culture, Brazilian community, Caribbean heritage, and international luxury dining converge in one place. No other U.S. city has the cultural ingredients The Damel needs to thrive.
From Brickell's financial district to Wynwood's creative corridor, from Coconut Grove's waterfront to the Design District's luxury mile — The Damel is positioned to become Miami's defining Afro-Brazilian cultural destination. Zero competitors exist in this space anywhere in the city.
- Miami is the only U.S. city with a large West African, Brazilian, and Caribbean diaspora community all in one market
- Zero Afro-Brazilian restaurants exist in Miami — The Damel owns this category from day one
- Year-round international tourism and business travel — no seasonal slowdown
- Brickell flagship targets corporate Miami · Wynwood speaks to the creative class · Design District reaches luxury diners
- Miami's Latin American business community is the most internationally connected in the U.S.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 host city — massive international audience arriving in Miami
Bring the World
To Your Table.
Beyond catering — Chef Oumar brings intimate, immersive culinary experiences directly to you. Whether you want to learn the art of Afro-Brazilian cooking, host a private dining event at your Airbnb or home, or gift someone an unforgettable experience — there is a Damel experience for every occasion in Miami.
While Afro-Brazilian cuisine is our signature, Chef Oumar's 20+ years across four continents means every experience can be tailored to your taste. We offer custom menus across West African · Latin American · Spanish · French · Global Fusion — just let us know your preference when you book.
Chef Oumar comes to your home, Airbnb, or private venue and prepares a full multi-course Afro-Brazilian dining experience. You relax. He cooks, serves, and cleans up. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelorette parties.
- 4–5 course menu curated by Chef Oumar
- Groceries sourced & included
- Full setup, service & kitchen cleanup
- Halal & vegetarian options available
- Airbnb & vacation rentals welcome
- Available Miami-wide
A hands-on cooking class where Chef Oumar teaches you the secrets of Afro-Brazilian cuisine. You cook. You eat. You leave knowing how to make dishes no one else in Miami can teach you.
- Choose your menu — Senegalese, Brazilian, or fusion
- Learn Fataya, Moqueca, Dibi & more
- All ingredients & equipment provided
- 2.5–3 hour hands-on session
- Recipe cards to take home
- Perfect for couples, girls nights & team building
A five-course narrated tasting menu where Chef Oumar presents each dish and takes your guests on a journey from Senegal to Brazil to Miami. The dinner party that gets talked about for years.
- Five courses narrated by Chef Oumar
- Signature botanical cocktail pairing
- Menu designed around your group
- White-glove full service
- Ideal for milestone celebrations
- Available Miami-wide
A leisurely brunch blending West African and Brazilian morning traditions — Pão de Queijo, Acarajé, tropical spreads, Coxinha, and signature Bissap mimosas. The perfect weekend gathering.
- Live cooking stations
- Bissap mimosa & botanical bar
- Sweet & savory Afro-Brazilian spread
- Perfect for baby showers & birthdays
- Airbnb & home service available
Teams compete to create the best Afro-Brazilian dish — judged by Chef Oumar. Energetic, educational, and unlike any team building your company has done before.
- Competitive cooking challenge format
- Teams of 4–6 per station
- All equipment & ingredients provided
- Trophy for the winning team
- Sit-down meal of all dishes at the end
- Office, venue or offsite
Give someone the gift of an experience they will never forget. Redeemable for any cooking class, private chef experience, brunch, or catering order. The most thoughtful gift in Miami.
- Redeemable for any Damel experience
- Delivered by email instantly
- Never expires
- Custom amounts available
- Perfect for birthdays & holidays
Not sure which experience is right for you?
Tell us your occasion and guest count — Chef Oumar will personally respond within 24 hours.
Elevate Your
Every Occasion.
The Damel brings the full Afro-Brazilian culinary experience to your event — from intimate corporate lunches to large-scale celebrations. Chef Oumar Diouf and his team deliver the same cultural richness and culinary precision whether serving 10 or 300 guests across Miami and South Florida.
Restaurant-quality Afro-Brazilian meals delivered directly to your home, office, or venue. Everything packaged with care and ready to serve.
- Empanadas & Fataya trays
- Dibi & Moqueca family trays
- Salads, sides & desserts
- Bissap, Ginger & Tamarind beverages
- Açaí & smoothie bowls
- Minimum order 12 pieces
Elevate your team lunches, client meetings, and office events with a catering experience that makes an impression. Fully halal-certified proteins and vegetarian options available for diverse teams.
- Team lunches & board meetings
- Client entertainment & presentations
- Office celebrations & milestones
- Monthly corporate lunch contracts
- Halal & vegetarian menus
- Setup, service & breakdown
The complete Damel experience — live stations, passed appetizers, family-style mains, sober-conscious cocktail bar, and white-glove service. Weddings, galas, private celebrations, and cultural events.
- Live Moqueca & Acarajé stations
- Passed Fataya & Dibi skewers
- Full sober-conscious botanical bar
- Chef Oumar present & narrating
- Weddings, galas & private events
- Up to 300 guests
Ready to bring The Damel to your table?
Custom menus available · 18–20% service charge · 7% Miami-Dade tax · 5–14 days advance notice
The Damel
Restaurant & Lounge
Miami's first elevated Afro-Brazilian restaurant and lounge is coming. A cultural destination where West African traditions meet the soul of Brazil — by day a refined dining experience, by night a premium lounge where Afrobeats, Baile Funk, and Samba set the stage.
Be the first to know when we open. No spam — just the announcement.
Book Your
Experience.
Ready to bring The Damel experience to your table? Fill out the form and Chef Oumar will personally respond within 24 hours to confirm availability, discuss your menu, and lock in your date.