Table of Contents
Introduction
Festival of African cuisine was truly an experience indeed. I have the perfect festival for you. This is a taste of Africa because it specfically zones into African food from Nigeria, to Ethiopia, Tunisia and much more. Keep reading for my honest review of the Festival of African cuisines.
After the recent National Geographic Food Festival, I was invited to attend the Festival of African Cuisine. This was a new type of festival where I was able to indulge in some of the continent’s finest dishes all under one roof.
From spicy jollof of Nigeria to the hearty cachupa of Cape Verde, this event offered a diverse range and spread of culinary delights. It was such a unique celebration of African food and culture. I wanted to give an honest review of my experience of the day at the Festival of African Cuisine.
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The Diversity of Dishes & Countries Represented
One of the best things about the Festival of African Cuisine was the variety of countries proudly showcasing their national dishes. It truly felt like a culinary tour of the African continent, and while some stalls were more generous than others, the spirit of African food was alive in the room.
Ghana
A taste of Africa was brought to us by Ghana! They really came through! Their stand was not only generous but beautifully presented. We were offered a generous tasting of rice, beans, Waakye (a traditional dish made with rice and beans), served alongside fried plantain, spaghetti, and shito (a spicy pepper sauce for those who love a little spice).
I also tried their puff puff (Bofrot), with Biscoff, pistachio nuts, and it absolutely delicious. Puff puff or Bofrot (as Ghanaians call it) is a sweet, doughy fried snack. Ghana stood out for their warmth and willingness to engage with guests. I even bought some puff puff and shito to take home!
Nigeria
You know Nigeria couldn’t come quietly! Their stand featured iconic dishes like jollof rice, a rich and spicy rice dish made with tomatoes and pepper. There was also ayamase (also known as ofada stew, made with green peppers and assorted meats and my absolute favourite with white rice), abula (a Yoruba delicacy made from amala, gbegiri, and ewedu), and efo riro, a well-seasoned spinach stew. Each dish was deeply rooted in home-cooked comfort and cultural pride.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde came with their national dish, cachupa, the dish is made from corn, beans, vegetables, and slow-cooked meats. It’s a hearty stew that reflects the island’s mix of African and Portuguese influences. They also had donet (a doughnut), a local sweet snack similar to doughnuts, simple but satisfying! Trying all of this reminded me of visiting Cape Verde on my recent trip earlier this year.
Read more about how I made Cachupa and travelled to Cape Verde here.
Mozambique
Mozambique didn’t hold back on flavour. Their prawns were beautifully seasoned, served with rice and bright sauces. While I didn’t get to taste this one myself, the presentation alone was mouth-watering, and I saw plenty of people queuing up for it. It did make me think that I need to put this country on my list for the future.
Uganda
Uganda served up Rolex, one of my personal favourites, not the watch, but the street food made with chapati rolled with eggs, vegetables, and sometimes meat. They also offered Okra stew, sweet potatoes, beans and chapatis on the side, making for a filling and satisfying plate. It’s the kind of meal that’s best enjoyed hot and fresh! It would have been amazing if they had Posho, a type of corn meal made from maize, which I absolutely loved with their fish stew. Trying their dishes reminded me of the amazing cuisines and food I had in Uganda.
Tunisia
Tunisia brought something different, a taste of North Africa, which was nice to see. Their stall featured homemade flavoured oils, refreshing lemonade, and famous bites like the Tunisian Brik. Made me think about revisiting the country all over again.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, known for its injera and richly spiced stews, had a station covered with lentils, split peas, greens, and spicy meat-based options like tibs and doro wat. It was set up in the most beautiful traditional way and thought through with every single detail. With their local coffee, which was pretty pricey at £5 for a tasting cup!
Vibrant Market Stalls
Beyond food, the Festival of African Cuisines featured stalls selling snacks, spices, bags, and pillows from Sierra Leone, as well as handmade jewellery. These items really added another layer of cultural richness to the festival. I appreciated the chance to support African-owned businesses directly.
What Could Be Improved
Inconsistent Hospitality
While some stands were warm and inviting, others weren’t as engaging or forthcoming with samples. For an event centred around celebrating African cuisine, the spirit of sharing should’ve been more consistent.
I would’ve loved to see an active panel discussion on African culinary and traditional foods. I think this would have elevated the event beyond just a food market to something more immersive and educational. It felt like the festival was just focused on selling food.
Turnout and Vibes
While there were standout moments, the overall turnout could’ve been better, both from attendees and exhibitors. I hope next year’s edition is bigger, bolder, and more coordinated.
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Final Views
And there you have it, a genuine review of the Festival of African Cuisine. I went with an open mind and a hungry belly and left feeling incredibly inspired.
And I have to say it was lovely to connect with African cultures through food. I love travelling to around the world, trying new foods and even more so to Africa and try the local cuisines. This festival made it all come to life. The event was a reminder of the culinary richness that exists across the continent. I’ll definitely be back next year, and hopefully with even more countries and flavours to explore!
What do you think? Is a Festival of African Cuisine something that you would want to go to? Let’s meet in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog if you want to learn more about foodie events like this around the world.
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As always, speak soon,
MBV xx
