Heaven made in Rwanda

HEAVEN IS MORe than a restaurant, it’s a social enterprise. It has a large indoor-outdoor terrace with breathtaking views of Kigali; the perfect place to relax, enjoy great ambiance, excellent food, and top-of-the-range customer service.Heaven seems to be part of the axis of hospitality service providers taking the country’s tourism and hospitality sector to its much awaited tipping point. With emerging new players such as Marriott and Hilton, and existing players such as Serena and the Mille Collines, the days when Kigali was a sleepy town where tourists expected less than world-class standards seem to be gradually fading away. Heaven’s cuisine, while international, features organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Service at heaven is super-fast, while the waiting staff will dazzle you with their nimble feet. A typical meal here involves a friendly, smiling waiter ambling in to your table and introducing him/herself as your host for the day. The facility was custom-built in 2008 with a terrace that floats above breathtaking views of Kigali, thus the name “Heaven”. It is more than a restaurant in that the owners created Heaven to provide employment and ongoing hospitality training that seeks to set a national standard not only for service but also food quality. Heaven is made in Rwanda: Local craftspeople produced virtually everything in the restaurant, from the chairs and tables, right down to the placemats. They have an impressive display of rich locally made art work, handicrafts, jewelry and clothing for sale, all sourced from local cooperatives. Since its opening five years ago, the owners have invested in ongoing training in culinary skills and customer service by bringing in international managers and chefs to support and train staff.The owners of Heaven in partnership with Kazibora, a leading local Management Consulting group are launching an accelerated, 6-month practical training school – the International Hospitality Academy of Rwanda, focused on customer service, culinary arts and management for future leaders in Rwanda’s hospitality industry. Interested applicants can write a letter of interest to rwandahospitality@gmail.com .Heaven is open every day for Dinner service from 5:00pm to 10:30pm and for Sunday Brunch from 10:00am to 2:00pm.Happy hour specials run from 5:00 - 7:00pm every day. Saturday is Cultural NightThey host private lunches, business meetings, conferences & parties (by reservation). There is free wi-fi, on and off-site catering, while the “Inn Heaven” onsite guest house has 3 guest rooms with en suite private bathrooms, mini fridge, coffee/tea, internet, breakfast, and a 10% discount on meals at Heaven Restaurant. Guest rooms go for $80 and $95 for single and double occupancy respectively.A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda, a memoir by the co-owner of Heaven, Josh Ruxin, will be published in November this year by Little Brown & Company and is already available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.