Food is both an art and a social event in the Black community. While I may have grown up on another continent, there is no denying that my food experiences were very similar to those that grew up on this continent. My mother was instrumental in my passion for food. She was as an amazing amateur cook and baker as she was a discerning one. She taught my siblings and I to appreciate good food.
My most favored memories as a child revolve around food. I vividly remember baking for the first time at age 8. I made rock buns from my first recipe book (they were amazing, thank you!). In particular, I remember the sheer joy of helping out (and contributing) to family gatherings. My maternal extended family typically met yearly at Christmas (as was my mother’s wont). Younger kids played noisily as they intermittently ran kitchen errands. Older kids clustered by gender mostly, laughing, teasing and playing with the younger ones even as they helped the elder folks cook.
I can just about smell and taste Auntie Caro’s soda bread (baked in the earth). Auntie Bongi turned out a mean Swiss roll. I loved aunt Thandie’s coleslaw and fried chicken. Then there was my mum’s meat and greens, amasi Amasi – Wikipedia (yum), meat pies, thumbprint cookies, chocolate chiffon sponge and fresh cream, her fruit cake (trust me on this) … I could go on! Meanwhile, my dad “supervised” my uncles as they grilled a freshly slaughtered animal (goat and/or ox) over hot coals. And yes, I made frequent drive-bys since they often sampled chunks of meat (boerewors Boerewors Recipe: How to Make South African Sausage (afrifoodnetwork.com) and heart) and would cut me off a piece.
It was only right that I celebrate this Black History Month by highlighting the intersectionality of food and the Black community Inspired Black chef Offerings in the Triad – HER//Excursions (herexcursions.com). I’m just sorry that I did not have the fortitude nor the time to review everyone Two Black Bakers to try in the Triad Area – HER//Excursions (herexcursions.com). However, I was thrilled to find food creators effortlessly blending cultures to create amazing food. I can only hope you sample them whenever you get a chance to.
