Why hello, listeners!!! This is the first really typical episode of The Storied Recipe podcast in about 2 months! I’m excited to dive right in today with Afia Amoako, known on TikTok, Instagram, the web, and elsewhere and as The Canadian African!
As her name suggests, Afia has quite an expansive perspective on food and culture. She was raised in Ghana, spent formative years in Tanzania, South Africa, Connecticut, and now lives in Toronto where she is pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology.
Afia shared a Lentil Quinoa Pilau recipe with us to pay homage to her time in Tanzania, where the food reflected the multiple races and histories of this African country shaped by the Silk Road. It also reflects her vegan lifestyle, which is Afia’s way of being grateful for what she has, doing everything she can for the earth, and honoring the way her Ghanaian ancestors ate for generations.
This is a fast-paced conversation full of fascinating lessons in history, languages, culture, food, and most importantly - Afia’s unique story.
Highlights of Afia Amoako (The Canadian African)
- Afia’s research in infectious diseases
- Afia’s experience with malaria & (un)trustworthy medications
- Ghana -> Tanzania -> South Africa -> Connecticut -> Canada (comparing food & experiences in each)
- The different geographical regions in Ghana & associated foods
- Tanzania - culture, people, and food
- Afia's experience in an extremely elite boarding school in New England
- Gut check: Challenges to Afia's new way of eating + why/how she persevered
- The unique voice Afia brings to the blogging world
Would love to hear from you!