Hiya! My name means ‘Love’ in Sotho which is one of several languages spoken in South Africa and the Southern African region. Despite the Southern African name, I am in fact, of Nigerian descent. My mother is just extraordinary and ‘different’. She named her children as she felt and not by tradition. I am a cook, food writer, presenter and self-appointed African Ambassador. A proud mother to a boisterous and loving cockapoo called Tuppence. On a daily basis all I think about most of the time is food, sometimes travel, shoes, dresses, shortbread, plantains, crabcakes, bread and stew...food! My job involves creating recipes to inspire you, in various media, from my newsletter, television, books, brands, magazines and more. I also create memorable culinary experiences, which could be supper clubs, cookery classes, cookery holidays, you name it, all for the cause of representing African food on a global scale, in mainstream media, and most importantly sharing it with you in your homes.
My favourite meal is slow-cooked black-eyed beans or honey beans with chilli oil and plantains, a typical West African dish with different variations. I love Chinese food, fish & chips (especially the one from M&S that you can just pop into the oven. I am not sure they still make it. I binged on it while at university in London) I have no other job, food is my main hustle and my plan A,B,C,D,E…(I am often asked, “What is your real job?” Well this is it.)
In old age, I see myself travelling across Africa and beyond and bringing many more people together, with family and friends, with you, writing recipes as I gaze out to the deep blue sea, slowly stirring sumptuous pots of stew, and never retiring because to me, my job is not really work, it is my life. The life I love to live. The life YOU make possible and remarkable. I look forward to growing with you!
Haha Karla! It’s refreshing and scary at the same time that I have no other plan! Haha I will share that recipe soon for my slow cooked beans... really soon. I have a plantain recipe coming up next. I have subscribed to your newsletter and cannot wait to read... I am especially drawn to the contradiction of Mexico (Mexico City) in particular.
Sometimes not having a backup plan is exactly what we need to follow through. I think it's courageous to know and follow exactly what you love! Thank you so much for following back. I love that Mexico sparks your curiosity. It's a magical, complicated, and unforgettable place!
Super excited to see African food, especially Nigerian delicacies infused with western cuisine. The 1st African Afternoon Tea that Lerato put together a while back was excellent. The fusion of African, western and Asian influences was just delish. I love exploring, watching and trying out foods from different cultures and to be presented with roasted plantains and peanut butter-wow!!!!!
My name is Courtney an I'm just a scrawny little vegetarian ( with dietary limits due to Crohn's disease and kidney disease)who loves to cook and strives to eat whole, fresh foods . I luve on the otherside of "the pond" and stumbled upon your website when I was searching for a recipe similar to one my great grandma used to make . She was from the dutch caribbean and we lost some of her recipes . Anyway, your Instagram was such a warm, joyful place I just knew I had to stay.
Your inner sun shines brightly and you have the gift of drawing others into your orbit and lifting their spirits.
I learn from you and get ti armchair travel through you...and as my culinary world expands, it also shrinks- in the way of realizing how closely connected cultures and countries can be when we break bread together or share our recipes and stories. ( There's also a familiar sense of home for me, in your foods, as I have memories tied to foods like plantains and greens :) )
Hi Lerato, I'm Jay. I'm Nigerian American and I love blending all sorts of cultures to create the perfect feast. I once searched African British fusion cooks and that's how I found you. I searched for a personality I could relate to but most importantly learn from and you are a fount of knowledge. Congratulations on your fellowship with Substack. Looking forward to more creative meals from your stable.
Hi Jay! It’s so lovely to have you here. Thank you for participation in our community. It means a lot! In a comment in one of my newsletters, you mentioned your Nigerian-Brazilian heritage which I found intriguing. I hope to explore the Yoruba-Brazilian link sometime in the future and hopefully we can enjoy cooking recipes that reflect that intersection of culture.
Hi Lerato! I'm a travel writer and as a Mexican, I can't help but love food. As a global nomad, I also can't help but love all kinds of food from different countries. Huge congrats on your Substack fellowship! I learned about you through that announcement and was intrigued to learn more about African food and cooking. Looking forward to learning from you and being inspired to eat more 😊
Hello Karla! ❤️ Lovely to ‘meet you’ guapa and thank you so much. I look forward to getting to know you better, sharing your travel stories, reading your work and learning more about Mexican culture. It is up there on the list of my favourite 10 cultures to explore. Thank you being part of our community. 😄
Hiya! My name means ‘Love’ in Sotho which is one of several languages spoken in South Africa and the Southern African region. Despite the Southern African name, I am in fact, of Nigerian descent. My mother is just extraordinary and ‘different’. She named her children as she felt and not by tradition. I am a cook, food writer, presenter and self-appointed African Ambassador. A proud mother to a boisterous and loving cockapoo called Tuppence. On a daily basis all I think about most of the time is food, sometimes travel, shoes, dresses, shortbread, plantains, crabcakes, bread and stew...food! My job involves creating recipes to inspire you, in various media, from my newsletter, television, books, brands, magazines and more. I also create memorable culinary experiences, which could be supper clubs, cookery classes, cookery holidays, you name it, all for the cause of representing African food on a global scale, in mainstream media, and most importantly sharing it with you in your homes.
My favourite meal is slow-cooked black-eyed beans or honey beans with chilli oil and plantains, a typical West African dish with different variations. I love Chinese food, fish & chips (especially the one from M&S that you can just pop into the oven. I am not sure they still make it. I binged on it while at university in London) I have no other job, food is my main hustle and my plan A,B,C,D,E…(I am often asked, “What is your real job?” Well this is it.)
In old age, I see myself travelling across Africa and beyond and bringing many more people together, with family and friends, with you, writing recipes as I gaze out to the deep blue sea, slowly stirring sumptuous pots of stew, and never retiring because to me, my job is not really work, it is my life. The life I love to live. The life YOU make possible and remarkable. I look forward to growing with you!
I love that food is your A,B,C,D,E plan haha. I'd love to try that favorite meal you mention. Plantains are the best!
Haha Karla! It’s refreshing and scary at the same time that I have no other plan! Haha I will share that recipe soon for my slow cooked beans... really soon. I have a plantain recipe coming up next. I have subscribed to your newsletter and cannot wait to read... I am especially drawn to the contradiction of Mexico (Mexico City) in particular.
Sometimes not having a backup plan is exactly what we need to follow through. I think it's courageous to know and follow exactly what you love! Thank you so much for following back. I love that Mexico sparks your curiosity. It's a magical, complicated, and unforgettable place!
Super excited to see African food, especially Nigerian delicacies infused with western cuisine. The 1st African Afternoon Tea that Lerato put together a while back was excellent. The fusion of African, western and Asian influences was just delish. I love exploring, watching and trying out foods from different cultures and to be presented with roasted plantains and peanut butter-wow!!!!!
My name is Courtney an I'm just a scrawny little vegetarian ( with dietary limits due to Crohn's disease and kidney disease)who loves to cook and strives to eat whole, fresh foods . I luve on the otherside of "the pond" and stumbled upon your website when I was searching for a recipe similar to one my great grandma used to make . She was from the dutch caribbean and we lost some of her recipes . Anyway, your Instagram was such a warm, joyful place I just knew I had to stay.
Your inner sun shines brightly and you have the gift of drawing others into your orbit and lifting their spirits.
I learn from you and get ti armchair travel through you...and as my culinary world expands, it also shrinks- in the way of realizing how closely connected cultures and countries can be when we break bread together or share our recipes and stories. ( There's also a familiar sense of home for me, in your foods, as I have memories tied to foods like plantains and greens :) )
Hi Lerato, I'm Jay. I'm Nigerian American and I love blending all sorts of cultures to create the perfect feast. I once searched African British fusion cooks and that's how I found you. I searched for a personality I could relate to but most importantly learn from and you are a fount of knowledge. Congratulations on your fellowship with Substack. Looking forward to more creative meals from your stable.
Hi Jay! It’s so lovely to have you here. Thank you for participation in our community. It means a lot! In a comment in one of my newsletters, you mentioned your Nigerian-Brazilian heritage which I found intriguing. I hope to explore the Yoruba-Brazilian link sometime in the future and hopefully we can enjoy cooking recipes that reflect that intersection of culture.
Hi Lerato! I'm a travel writer and as a Mexican, I can't help but love food. As a global nomad, I also can't help but love all kinds of food from different countries. Huge congrats on your Substack fellowship! I learned about you through that announcement and was intrigued to learn more about African food and cooking. Looking forward to learning from you and being inspired to eat more 😊
Hello Karla! ❤️ Lovely to ‘meet you’ guapa and thank you so much. I look forward to getting to know you better, sharing your travel stories, reading your work and learning more about Mexican culture. It is up there on the list of my favourite 10 cultures to explore. Thank you being part of our community. 😄