Meet the culinary creatives shaking up African food

By Adeline Chen, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 11:48 AM EDT, Thu June 6, 2019
Erasmus specialises in the fine art of foraging and heritage food, His philosophy of "being conscious" evident not only in the menu at his award- winning restaurant 'Foliage,' but in how he runs it.
Erasmus specialises in the fine art of foraging and heritage food, His philosophy of "being conscious" evident not only in the menu at his award- winning restaurant 'Foliage,' but in how he runs it.
Whether it's bringing foraging to the forefront of the culinary landscape or finding ways to make familiar flavors stand out, chefs across Africa are pushing the envelope when it comes to food. Meet three African chefs who are taking cuisine on the continent to new heights.
Whether it's bringing foraging to the forefront of the culinary landscape or finding ways to make familiar flavors stand out, chefs across Africa are pushing the envelope when it comes to food. Meet three African chefs who are taking cuisine on the continent to new heights.
CNN
South African chef and restauranteur Chris Erasmus believes that when it comes to food the process is just as important as the outcome. "You need to sometimes crack the whip but you need to release it, immediately and, build on a positive energy," he told CNN.
South African chef and restauranteur Chris Erasmus believes that when it comes to food the process is just as important as the outcome. "You need to sometimes crack the whip but you need to release it, immediately and, build on a positive energy," he told CNN.
CNN
Selassie Atadika wants to change the way you eat. Through her new movement: the nomadic dining experience, she encourages diners to ditch restaurants and move meals outside.
Selassie Atadika wants to change the way you eat. Through her new movement: the nomadic dining experience, she encourages diners to ditch restaurants and move meals outside.
Atadika hopes that through nomadic dining she will encourage people to preserve the bond of coming together to eat.
Atadika hopes that through nomadic dining she will encourage people to preserve the bond of coming together to eat.
"We have these nomadic dinners where people who don't know each other sit together, talk and usually by the end of the night are exchanging business cards or phone numbers," she said.
"We have these nomadic dinners where people who don't know each other sit together, talk and usually by the end of the night are exchanging business cards or phone numbers," she said.
In Lagos Gbubemi Fregene also know as Chef Fregz is determined to make Nigeria the continent's number one food destination.
In Lagos Gbubemi Fregene also know as Chef Fregz is determined to make Nigeria the continent's number one food destination.
CNN
"To describe the culinary scene in Nigeria right now, it's bubbling," he told CNN. "It's that where water's boiling." His specialty is combining western ingredients with traditional African dishes which has proved a big hit, but his dream is to take Nigerian cuisine global.
"To describe the culinary scene in Nigeria right now, it's bubbling," he told CNN. "It's that where water's boiling." His specialty is combining western ingredients with traditional African dishes which has proved a big hit, but his dream is to take Nigerian cuisine global.
"As Nigerians we have known our stories for a very long time. I want to travel the world and understand my ingredients enough, put it on the plate in a way that they appreciate it and be like 'Wow, we never knew African food would come this far.'"
"As Nigerians we have known our stories for a very long time. I want to travel the world and understand my ingredients enough, put it on the plate in a way that they appreciate it and be like 'Wow, we never knew African food would come this far.'"
Meet the culinary creatives shaking up African food
CNN  — 

Whether it’s bringing foraging to the forefront of the culinary landscape or finding ways to make familiar flavors stand out, chefs across Africa are pushing the envelope when it comes to food. Meet three African chefs who are taking cuisine on the continent to new heights

Heritage food in South Africa

South African chef and restauranteur Chris Erasmus believes that when it comes to food the process is just as important as the outcome.

“You need to sometimes crack the whip but you need to release it, immediately and, build on a positive energy,” he told CNN.

“I really believe in that, what you put into your food is what the customer will experience. So, if it’s angry or sad, it’s what you gonna taste. There needs to be happiness.”

South African chef and restauranteur Chris Erasmus believes that when it comes to food the process is just as important as the outcome. "You need to sometimes crack the whip but you need to release it, immediately and, build on a positive energy," he told CNN.
Video Ad Feedback
Finding five-star food in the wild
07:09 - Source: CNN

Erasmus specialises in the fine art of foraging and heritage food, His philosophy of “being conscious” evident not only in the menu at his award- winning restaurant ‘Foliage,’ but in how he runs it.

“We are supposed to set an example when it comes to food so let’s do it the right way,” he said. “Let’s use the right suppliers, let’s treat animals correctly, let’s support the right people.”

“As a chef in South Africa, what I would like to see and leave behind, is that people think before they use anyth