Top chefs gather for ‘Flavors of Africa’ event in Milwaukee

On November 10, 2024, Milwaukee will host the inaugural Flavors of Africa & Diaspora: Best Chefs Wisconsin. This innovative culinary celebration aims to highlight the impact of African diaspora foodways on modern American cuisine while fostering community unity through shared culinary experiences.

The event is the brainchild of Yollande Tchouapi, a former restaurateur who operated the African restaurant Irie Zulu in Milwaukee. Tchouapi’s latest venture, Ubuntu MKE, spearheads this culinary and cultural extravaganza. Ubuntu MKE is Wisconsin’s first cross-cultural incubator lab designed to build a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable food community.

“As a scholarship recipient myself, giving back has an impact,” Tchouapi stated. “Achieving the vision of sharing the Africa that I know and telling the story of our people while raising money to provide scholarships to refugees is my highest honor.”

The gala will occur at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway in Downtown Milwaukee. The main event will run from 3 to 7 p.m., with a VIP social hour beginning at 2 p.m.

A key event feature is the Best Chefs Wisconsin Competition, where acclaimed chefs from Milwaukee and Madison will showcase their culinary prowess. The competition will be judged by a panel of respected figures in the culinary world and beyond, including:

• Michael Twitty, African American writer, culinary historian, and James Beard Award-winning author
• Chef Shola Olunloyo of StudioKitchen
• Dr. Linda Vakunta, PhD, WORT Radio Personality and Deputy Mayor of Madison
• Shary Tran, DEI Director at Generac
• Tarik Moody, HYFN Creative Director
• Derek Mosley, Director of the Lubar Center at Marquette University
• Oby Nwabuzor, PhD Candidate and Community Leader
• Rick Rodriguez, Community Leader at US Bank

Michael Twitty, known for his James Beard Award-winning book “The Cooking Gene,” will deliver the keynote address, adding depth to the event’s exploration of African culinary heritage.

To prepare for the gala, participating chefs will participate in an eight-week Ubuntu Perspectives Residency. This immersive workshop series, from September 15 to November 9, 2024, will focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the culinary world.

Some of the workshops include:

• “History of Southern Farmers Foodways & Impact on the American Cuisine” at Alice’s Garden
• “Positive Dialogue on Diversity, Inclusion, LGBTQ, Races Relations, Black History” at Amilinda
• “Flavors of Uganda Traditional Cuisine” at Mount Mary University
• “Farm to Table Dinner” at Beulah Farm

Chefs or establishments who attend all eight residencies will be offered a DE&I completion certificate worth 3 credits of continuous education in collaboration with Mount Mary University.

The event promises to be a multifaceted experience, featuring culinary delights and cultural performances from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal, accompanied by Afrobeats music from DJ Leo Neo, founder of AfroCharts.

Flavors of Africa & Diaspora: Best Chefs Wisconsin represents a significant step towards recognizing and celebrating the diverse culinary traditions that shape American cuisine. By bringing together chefs, food enthusiasts, and community leaders, the event aims to create a platform for cultural exchange and understanding through the universal language of food.