My Guest today is the Founder of Fulani Kitchen Chef Fatmata Binta. Chef Binta who has become the first African to win the Basque World Culinary Prize opens on her journey to achieving this noble prize in gastronomy and set sights on expansion of her projects aimed to bring change to the people of her community and also help grow the knowledge of African gastronomy in the world.
Founder - Fulani Kitchen Foundation / Executive Chef - Dine on a Mat
Chef Binta is an award winning chef born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone to first-generation Sierra Leonean Fulanis of Guinean descent. She is a modern day nomadic chef. Like her ancestors, Binta has traveled to many countries to explore different cooking techniques, ingredients and ways of life. At Fulani Kitchen, she combines her nomadic Fulani roots, classical training and love for rural life and nature to create modern dishes, while maintaining the simplicity and authenticity of Fulani culture. By creating a traditional setting, discussing Fulani culture and serving ancient grains, indigenous spices and other exciting West-African ingredients in an interactive way, Binta triggers all senses and takes you to a whole new world.
Food for Sustenance
Her passion to share African nomadic cuisine is based on her experiences as a child growing up during the darkest period of Sierra Leonean history- the civil war. She experienced first hand how food brings people together and pulls down walls. Many times during the conflict no one could go out to buy food or food was simply not available. She saw neighbors from different backgrounds contribute, share and prepare meals together to make something out of nothing. The rice they could afford was filled with cockroaches which they had to hand pick, repeatedly wash and blend with bulgur in order to get enough to share for everyone. What she calls creating food for sustenance; learning to create totally new dishes with just a handful of ingredients, sharing and working together, was not only a life-saving skill in a war zone, it has actually made her the chef she is today.
Fulani Cuisine Ambassador
Chef Binta presents herself as an ambassador for Fulani cuisine and she promotes fonio, an ancient super grain, traditionally grown and consumed in West Africa. Over the last couple of years, fonio, as a result of its similarity to quinoa, has gained more attention in international culinary circles. And rightfully so- it’s gluten free, extremely nutritious, requires minimal water to grow, has a shorter life cycle than its similar foods, is more disease and drought resilient and gives back more nutrients to the soil than other staple crops like rice and maize. This little grain might possibly be one of the answers to food security and climate challenges to come. Binta’s menu almost always features this super grain, fonio, as she continues to promote its value to her guests on the mat.
ITB Berlin: Western Cape’s remarkable tourism recovery unravelled
Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport celebrates 5 years of success
Malawi’s Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule outlines her vision for the sector
Outgoing CEO of Namibia Tourism Board Digu Naobeb bares it all
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO aims to preserve natural and cultural heritage by empowering communities
Deputy CEO of Uganda Tourism Board Bradford Ochieng outlines driving pillars of its Recovery efforts
Unravelling the story behind African Adventure Specialists with Andrew Kitema
Africa Travel Week :Megan de Jäger outlines novelty-filled 2023 event
Understanding the uniqueness of the Iconic Okavango Delta; A conversation with Dux Mareja
State of Tourism in Maldives and outlook for 2023: A conversation with CEO of MMPRC Thoyyib Mohamed
Africa’s Travel Trade hails the return of Botswana Travel & Tourism Expo
UNWTO Digital Futures Program will accelerate the adoption of technologies in the Tourism Value Chain
Managing Director of Tanzania Tourist Board Felix John outlines plans to diversify its market
Unpacking Botswana’s Tourism Revival: A conversation with Minister of Environment and Tourism Philda Nani Kereng
Unraveling Aviation’s crucial role in Africa’s Tourism Recovery with Jon Howell
The Live Return of MKTE has come at the right time- Kenya Tourism Board CEO
International Tourism Fair of Mozambique (FIKANI) will help in our recovery efforts- Marco Dos Anjos
Why African Destinations should focus on MICE and Business Events: A conversation with ICCA’s Esmaré Steinhöfel
Enhanced e-Visa Platform for Nigerian Travellers to South Africa goes Live
Maldives invites Africa to experience the sunny side of Life
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Travel with Rick Steves
Hometown Ghost Stories
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad