2023 marks the first year the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) offers the West African Flavors Curriculum to its students. But it didn’t come together by a whim. As stated on their website, the CIA spent “years researching and developing this concentration. An advisory council of academics and experts on the African diaspora—led by renowned culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris, and including Dr. Scott Alves Barton, Dr. Maricel Presilla, and Chef Pierre Thiam—assisted in developing the curriculum.”
We thank the CIA for giving West African flavors its rightful place as haute cuisine and educating the food industry on Africa’s role in bringing flavor to the world.
Ripples is also creating new services to help the food industry at large learn more about West African food and its origins. We will soon begin offering customized food tours of West Africa, including farm stays. Stay tuned for updates on this roll out or feel free to contact us to reserve a trip for your team. Contact sales@ripplesfoundation.org.