Dine on a Mat—A Taste from the Fulani Kitchen

Chef Fatmata Binta

By introducing Fonio, an ancient African super grain, to the world and by increasing the productivity of smallholder farmers in its value chain, an alternative source of income will be generated for farmers which will lead to improved livelihoods, allow them and their households to be more resilient to climate shocks, and enhance food security in rural communities. Photo: Apag Studios

For the first iteration of this programme in June 2023, HKW is honoured to open Tongue and Throat Memories with Chef Fatmata Binta. Describing herself as a nomadic chef, Binta was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone to a family of Guinean descent. She has been investigating the Fulani kitchen inspired by the Fula people, one of the greatest nomadic groups of the African continent. Through her proposal, Dine on a Mat, she invites her guests to a meal where she discusses Fulani history and culture while serving her own culinary creations paired with grains, spices, and ingredients from West Africa. As a child, Chef Binta developed an interest and passion in food sustenance while seeing the chains of solidarity formed by her community during moments of limited food resources. The joy of her people coming together inspired Chef Binta to learn to make new dishes with local ingredients like Fonio grains, which have a primordial place in her cooking today. Looking to the future, she has gained enough experience and resources that she has been able to start a foundation, Empowering Fulani Women.

As part of Tongue and Throat Memories