I started to think about this blog post after listening to Nigerian Food Explorer Ozoz Sokoh's Ted Talk entitled “Journey by Plate”. She shared that before the age of 9 she didn’t like eating and thereafter how her relationship with food evolved over time. As I was listening to her, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own food story { Afrofoodie's Food Story } and its defining moments.
Sweet Childhood Memories & The Art of Communal Eating
For as long as I can remember, I had what I believe is a normal and healthy relationship with food. I used to love family gatherings where my cousins and I would eat together in a communal plate. Now if you have never eaten in such a way, let me walk you through it :
- Food is generally served in a large and round platter
- Although you may be seated on a table, children are usually installed on a mat on the floor
- As you gather with the others around the meal, you have to ensure that you have washed your hands prior to that
- As you are sitting sideways, you start eating in front of you {very important} with your right hand only.
- If for example the meal consists of rice and meat/fish or chicken, it’s probably the oldest who divides it and allocates equally to everyone.
- Towards the end of the meal, the eldest will leave one after the other until the only person left is the youngest and that used to be ME 😋
Those moments are some of my sweetest childhood memories & the very beginning of my Food Story.
Transition into Adulthood & Living in an International House
At the age of 17, I basically lived in 3 countries…I had just completed the last year of my high school in Senegal, I returned to Côte d’Ivoire the summer right after and in August I flew to the US to start off college.
After few months in Maryland, I moved to Pennsylvania more specifically Harrisburg and lived for 2 years in an International House. I loved every part of it. My roommate was Japanese, my very good friends were Vietnamese and Korean and I was always hanging out with people from Czech Republic, France and Honduras. An amazing experience all throughout.
Over the courses of time, I met people from all over the world…Uzbekistan to Zambia. In addition to meeting people and learning about their culture, what I enjoyed the most where those dinners we regularly held with everyone bringing a dish from their home countries.
It was the year of culinary first times: First time eating sushi, kimchi etc…but most importantly it was those years of culinary discoveries that turned me into the foodie that I am today.
Afrofoodie's Food Story & A Culinary Tourism Enthusiast
Here I am 30 years later…an African Food Lover {= Afrofoodie } with international taste buds dedicated to promoting Culinary tourism in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond ... after having launched the 1st food blog & 1st restaurant week of the country and soon launching the 1st food tour business of the country.
My Food Story has been incredible since its beginning and I firmly believe that the Best is yet to come!
I would love to hear from you…What’s your Food Story?
