Chefs Without Restaurants From Pop-Ups to Cookbooks: Zoe Adjonyoh on Celebrating Ghanaian Cuisine
In this episode, Chris Spear chats with Chef Zoe Adjonyoh, the pioneering force behind Zoe's Ghana Kitchen. Zoe is not only a chef but also a writer, entrepreneur, and advocate for the decolonization of the food industry. Since 2010, she has been redefining modern West African cuisine through her pop-ups, supper clubs, and her restaurant in Brixton. Her recently republished cookbook, Zoe's Ghana Kitchen, serves as a gateway to Ghanaian flavors for both those familiar and new to the cuisine.
Chris and Zoe discuss her multicultural background, growing up with an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father, and how this unique heritage shaped her culinary perspective. The conversation delves into crucial topics such as decolonizing the food industry, gatekeeping in food culture, and the importance of authenticity and inclusivity in culinary spaces. Zoe shares her thoughts on fusion cuisine, the challenges of making West African ingredients accessible, and her ongoing efforts to educate and celebrate African foodways.
Listen in as they explore Zoe's journey from hosting pop-ups to editing an anthology on food identity and culture, her podcast "Cooking Up Consciousness," and her vision for the future of African cuisine. Whether you're passionate about food, culture, or social change, this is a conversation that will inspire and challenge your perspective on the culinary world.
Episode Highlights:
- Zoe's background and how her Irish-Ghanaian heritage influences her cooking
- Decolonizing the food industry and the importance of cultural representation
- The nuances of fusion cuisine and making African ingredients accessible
- Zoe's Ghana Kitchen: from pop-ups to cookbooks
- The role of food in identity and culture
- Zoe's podcast "Cooking Up Consciousness" and her upcoming anthology
Resources:
- Zoe's website: ZoesGhanaKitchen.com
- Zoe's cookbook: Zoe's Ghana Kitchen
- Zoe's podcast: "Cooking Up Consciousness"
ZOE ADJONYOH
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Zoe's Ghana Kitchen
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Buy the book Zoe's Ghana Kitchen, and support the book Serving Up
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