Anissa

Connect What is your signature dish?

This is difficult. I Don't know if I have one! I'm always the designated Mac and cheese maker for family events which is a massive job and honor. I'm also coveted for my Jollof rice and other West African dishes like fufu and peanut butter soup! In recent times, Ive made Jollof Rice Sushi which was a spiritual banger that my friends still hound me about! I made three rolls: Suya Salmon roll, Haitian Epis mushroom roll, and plantain nigiri One of the most exquisite things I've made.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration lies in my maternal lineage! Farming, cooking, canning, and entertaining guests has been in my family for generations. Me, my mother, and grandmother all make our potato salad the same! I take family history and ancestral knowledge and make futuristic adjustments like using purple potatoes sometimes, or even sweet potatoes!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest in my private catering/personal chef initiative getting all the necessary paperwork to launch this business. I would also celebrate my win with an oyster celebration launch to announce the endeavor! ( I love oysters) I would hope to travel to West Africa and South America to study food, flavors, herbalism, and cultural healing practices as I view food as a holistic experience to assist in healing our bodies.