AFN100: Most Influential People in the African Food Industry (51 – 100)

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In the first part, we honored 50 Most Influential People in the African Food Industry who are transforming Africa’s food culture on the global stage through entrepreneurship, advocacy, innovation, and preserving culinary traditions.

Now we highlight the remaining trailblazers, numbers 51 to 100, who are having an equally profound impact on how the world views and experiences the vibrant flavors of Africa.

They include founders of iconic food brands, chefs keeping traditional dishes alive, writers celebrating the continent’s rich culinary heritage, these are more of the remarkable changemakers defining Africa’s food future.

51. Chef Lola’s kitchen

Chef Lola is the face behind the wonderful recipes shared online and she is all about fast, simple, family-friendly meals. Her husband, also her biggest fan, handles the photography and tech side. Together, with their three kids under ten, they are a bustling, meal-deciding crew.

52. Hilda Baci

Born on September 20, 1996, Hilda Effiong Bassey, widely recognized as Hilda Baci, is a multifaceted Nigerian talent. Beyond her role as a chef and restaurateur, Hilda is an accomplished actress. She made headlines as the former Guinness World Record holder for a marathon cooking session (Cook-athon) lasting an impressive 93 hours and 11 minutes. While her record was later surpassed, her culinary prowess remains undeniable.

53. Ifeyinwa Mogekwu

Ifeyinwa Mogekwu(Ifyskitchen), a corporate lawyer at ACAS-Law in Lagos, transforms into a celebrated Food Blogger. From her childhood love for reading to a love for cooking that began in secondary school, Ifeyinwa’s journey led her to establish the successful Ify’s Kitchen.

54. Sarah Olowojoba

Chef Tolani, popularly known as Diaryofakitchenlover. She is a Nigerian Food Blogger, Recipe Developer, Food Tutor, and Entrepreneur. Tolani’s passion for food is evident in her delightful food pictures and her knack for curating detailed recipes using everyday home ingredients.

55. Winifred Nwania

Winfred Emmanuel, a native of Anambra State, has emerged as a prominent figure in the culinary world, notably as the creative force behind the renowned culinary brand, Zeelicious Foods. Over the past three years, Winfred has transformed her passion for creating delectable dishes into a flourishing enterprise.

What began as a personal endeavor, with Winfred sharing her culinary creations online, quickly evolved into the widely recognized and celebrated brand known as Zeelicious Foods.

56. Tosin Samuel

Tosin Samuel, widely recognized as TSpices Kitchen, wears many hats in the culinary world. He is not only a food content creator but also a recipe developer, author, entrepreneur, and skilled food stylist.

57. Maame Boakye

Maame was born and raised in Accra Ghana but moved to New York City, where she nurtured her passion for food. Chef Maame was introduced to different cuisines within New York City and soon learned how to incorporate them into her cooking, creating a beautiful blend of Afro-Caribbean fusions.

58. Selassie Atadika

Chef Selassie prides himself on expressing African cuisine through innovation fused with nomadic practices. Imbued by the practices of nomadic populations, Selassie embarked on a journey of infusing indigenous food preparations with modern recipes.

59. Joseph Odoom

60. Saikou Bojang

Saikou Bojang was born in Kafuta, and raised in Brikama on the south bank of The Gambia. He found his passion in cooking. He worked as an executive chef in ten different countries. A couple of years ago, he returned to his home country, The Gambia, with many cooking experiences to share with his fellow sisters and brothers.

61. Shelina Permalloo

Shelina Permalloo is a TV chef, restaurateur and cookery author who specialises in Mauritian food. She was the first woman of colour to win BBC’s MasterChef in 2012

62. Cheikh Niang

Cheikh Niang is a gourmet cuisiner who is passionate about taste, working out and enjoying the good life. He also has a cookbook that seamlessly breaks down different African recipes and teaches you how to make them.

63. Kone Mia

Kone Mia is a sensational food vlogger with fans in Cote d’Ivoire and beyond, watching her showcase the beautiful food culture of her roots.

64. Karelle Vignon-Vullierme

Karelle Vignon-Vullierme is a food blogger living in Dakar, the capital of Senegal since 2012. Of Beninese origin, she was born on March 21, 1987, and had a childhood and adolescence in Paris, France. She has won several awards, including Best African Blogger and the Orange Prize for Women’s Digital Entrepreneurship.

65. Marklina Naa Adjeley Quayey

Sweet Adjeley, whose real name is Marklina Naa Adjeley Quayey, is a Ghanaian chef, food blogger, and YouTube personality. She was born on October 9th, in the Volta Region of Ghana. She takes pride in showcasing the diverse flavors and traditions of Ghana through her cooking

66. Gabi Odebode (Chef GO)

Chef Gabi Odebode was born and raised in Koforidua Ghana, West Africa. She started her early education in Ghana and immigrated to America at the age of 9. Chef Gabi is known as one of the pioneers in the Cincinnati/Dayton area in Ohio introducing people to African cuisine and culture. This is how she coined her business tagline “Experience the Culture”.

67. Yamoah

68. Kinorah Awini

Kinorah Awini celebrates food with Telande, her food page. Her page is filled with delectable short cooking videos that make food preparation seem like ABCD. It’s just a testament to how good she is. Her recipes are the heart of the page and a lover of local ingredients, Telande offers Ghanaian, continental and far-out-exotic recipes. Be prepared to fall in love with food here.

69. Jean-Claude Attipoe

Jean-Claude Attipoe just like the other famous Jean-Claude brings the best chops but in the kitchen He’s versatile and he photographs food like its something hanging in the Louvre.

70. Ameyaw Debrah Kissi

Ameyaw Kissi Debrah, known professionally as Ameyaw Debrah, is a Ghanaian celebrity blogger, freelance journalist, and reporter. He founded AmeyawDebrah.com, an entertainment website and blog that primarily publishes news about Ghanaian celebrities. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in publishing. While at KNUST, he won the Best Publishing Student award in 2005. He has made significant contributions to several pan-African websites, including Jamati.com, Orijin-ent.com, and ModernGhana.com

71. Nana Ama McBrown

Nana Ama McBrown’s cooking show has been a favourite among Ghanaians, offering a unique blend of cooking expertise and celebrity conversations. Previously aired on UTV, the show mysteriously disappeared from screens after McBrown’s departure, leaving fans wondering about its fate.

72. MensCook

The handsome and elite men that form this group see themselves as the heroes of the kitchen and rightfully so as they work together, leading the pack for partnerships among women and men to reach unimaginable heights with their crafts. You’ll find then adding colors and taste to different types of events and outings.

73. Food Diplomat

Food diplomat is popular for being a food plug, and travel creator and connecting with people through her relatable storytelling skills around Ghana and the world at Large.

74. Amanda Dadson

Amanda began food blogging as a hobby, initially sharing food pictures with friends and family. Encouraged by their advice, she started a blog, initially clueless but driven by her passion for making others fall in love with cooking. Through self-development, her blog has evolved into a successful brand, leading to collaborations with various amazing brands and connections with influential people worldwide.

75. Dieuveil Malonga

Dieuveil Malonga, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Germany, is the founder of Chefs in Africa, a digital platform that aims to cultivate the talent and culinary passion found in Africa. It connects government institutions, training centers and businesses with professional chefs and young culinary students or apprentices looking for work experience.

This network already has over 4,000 African chefs as members: it facilitates contact between its members and hotel and restaurant industry agents, and local producers as well.

76. Wawiru Njiru

Wawira is the founder of Food for Education, a social enterprise that is leveraging community, parent and government partnerships at scale to expand national school feeding programs.

77. Deji Akinyanju

The career of this audacious entrepreneur started with Accenture- formally Andersen Consulting in London. With decades of experience in IT, trading and the hospitality business in the UK, and West African countries, he served as a Director of Food Concept, Entertainment Plc and also on the board of the Nigerian International Franchise Association. Today, he is the founder/owner of different brands including the popular Chicken Republic, and St Elmos Pizza amongst others.

78. Peter Njonjo

Peter is a very accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in business management across Africa. He was chosen as one of Forbes Afrique’s 100 Young Leaders and has been voted 3 times in a row as one of Kenya’s Top 40 under 40 by the Business Daily newspaper. He spent 18 years with Coca-Cola across various positions before starting his startup, Twiga Foods in 2015. He still serves as the startup’s CEO.

79. Naïma El Mouadden

Naima sparks culinary interests and joy in the hearts of many with her perfectly curated gourmet recipes. She prides herself as a “recipe burglar” as she’s always in search of new recipes, tastes, and ingredients to try out. Her page will take you on a culinary adventure.

80. SeïmaGirl

An architect turned chef, Seima Girl is a digital creator who is very passionate about food and shares this passion alongside her family and her lifestyle.

81. Abdelmalek Lebbal

Abdelmalek Lebbal is a North African Chef who works as a professor of baking and pastry arts program at Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada.

82. Chef Assad a.k.a “Fire bae”

Chef Assad is a chef and restaurateur specializing in the preparation and seasoning of lamb meat, owner of restaurant Chef Assad – Steak Land Oran His first experience was during his national service period when he was a cook dedicated to catering to senior officers Following his arrival in Algeria, the idea began to take shape in his mind until the day it became a reality. He therefore opened his own restaurant Steak Land Oran and since then the adventure has begun.

83. Sami Fgaier

Sami Fgaier, hailing from the Kerkennah Islands in Tunisia, transitioned from a business and computer science background to embrace his true passion for food. Co-founding Le Chardonnay in Madison, Wisconsin, marked his culinary debut despite his partner’s early exit. A relentless dedication earned him acclaim as Madison’s Best French Restaurant. Post-restaurant, Fgaier pursued culinary mastery at Cordon Bleu, founding Le Personal Chef.

84. Mounir el arem

Mounir El Arem, the Executive Chef of Le Baroque in Tunis, started his culinary journey after mastering mathematics at the University of Louis Pasteur, France. His dedication to gastronomy led to extensive training across France, earning global recognition for his culinary prowess. A prominent figure in culinary competitions and juries, he founded prestigious cooking events in Tunisia and advocated for regional gastronomy, notably securing UNESCO heritage status for Couscous and Harissa.

85. Najat Kaanache

Najat Kaanache is as impressive a chef as she is an entrepreneur and all-round inspiring person. World’s 50 Best named her the ‘Best Moroccan Chef of the World’. Kanaache runs restaurants in Morocco and Mexico, and published several cookbooks. But Kanaache is most known for raising awareness for diversity and inclusivity in the kitchen.

86. Mostafa Seif

Mostafa Seif, the Executive Chef of Pier88 Group in Egypt, began his culinary journey with street food and swiftly rose to prominence. His mastery bloomed at ESCA, shaping his passion in the Army Mess Hall. Graduating from the Culinary Arts Academy in 2013, he aimed to redefine Egyptian cuisine, becoming a trailblazer inNew Egyptian culinary arts. Renowned for humility, he’s acclaimed as one of the Middle East’s finest chefs. His latest venture, Khufu’s, nestled by the pyramids, marks another milestone in his flavorful legacy.

87. Immaculate Bites

Imma, raised in Cameroon, sparked a culinary journey at 11, learning from her aunt and discovering a passion for cooking. Relocating to Los Angeles, she immersed herself in diverse culinary landscapes, fueling her drive for culturally rich cuisine. Restaurant experiences in LA honed her skills, shaping her commitment to infuse everyday soul food with vibrancy.

88. Ali Mandhry

He is Kenya’s Chef representative ambassador, an award-winning Africa’s top Chef, culinary instructor, food stylist, hotelier, and tv/ radio personality.

89. Ombachi Dennis

Dennis Ombachi, born on December 14, 1990, transitioned from a Kenyan Rugby Sevens player to a self-taught chef known as ‘The Roaming Chef.’ Raised on a tea farm, he embraced a rural childhood, fetching water and playing among tea bushes.

His culinary skills gained fame on social media, offering a secondary income alongside rugby. Married to Zumba instructor Svetlana Polikarpova, they share a family with two children. Ombachi’s journey encompasses rugby, culinary arts, and content creation.

90. Maliha Mohammed

Chef Maliha Mohammed, hailing from Mombasa Old Town, began her educational journey at Alibhai Panju Primary School and later attended Jaffery Academy for her KCSE. Renowned as a self-taught chef, she is currently making waves as she aims to secure the Guinness World Record for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual.

91. Marcus Samuelsson

Born Kassahun Tsegie on January 25, 1971, Marcus Samuelsson is an Ethiopian-born Swedish-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality. Currently serving as the head chef of Red Rooster in Harlem, New York.

92. Kasingye Packson

Chef Packson, hailing from Lwengo, Uganda, has spent 13 years perfecting his culinary craft. Currently, the Executive Sous Chef at La’Venti Hotel. Beyond the kitchen, he founded “Table Affair Caterers,” offering top-notch catering and training for aspiring hotel staff. Chef Packson, is also certified by the Uganda Chefs Association.

93. Hawa Hassan

Hawa Hassan, a Somali-American chef and author, achieved acclaim with her debut cookbook, “In Bibi’s Kitchen,” winning the prestigious 2022 James Beard Foundation award for Best International Cookbook. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Hassan’s early years were shaped by the Somali Civil War, leading her family to seek refuge in Kenya. Her inspiring story reflects resilience and culinary excellence.

94. Linda Nirina Rojohasina Mazibuko

Linda Nirina Rojohasina Mazibuko, originally from Madagascar and raised in South Africa, blends Zulu and Betsileo tribal influences into her unique cooking style. A graduate of HTA School of Culinary Art, Linda has honed her skills in respected kitchens, trained under renowned chefs, and showcased her talents as a Whirlpool brand ambassador.

She gained recognition as the 7th-place finalist on Top Chef South Africa Season 1 and is an active member of Chefs in Africa who represents Africa in Ankara.

95. Bale Moya

Bale Moya is a renowned influencer hailing from Ethiopia, primarily sharing content on his Instagram platform.

96. Ifrah F. Ahmed

Ifrah F. Ahmed, a versatile writer, chef, and artist, explores the intersections of food, culture, memory, and migration. She is the creative force behind MILK & MYRRH, a Somali culinary pop-up, and co-founded ARAWEELO, a pioneering Somali arts and culture publication.

With features in the New York Times, Teen Vogue, and NYLON, Ifrah’s impactful food writing has been published in prestigious outlets like the New York Times Food Section, the Washington Post, Whetstone, and LA Times Food. Currently working on her first book, Ifrah, originally from Mogadishu, Somalia, now resides between Brooklyn and Seattle.

97. Jikoni Magic

Jikoni Magic, a self-taught home cook from Kenya, is passionate about sharing recipes that showcase Kenyan and African cuisine. Always seeking inspiration from various sources, she transforms everyday ingredients into magical creations in her “jikoni” (kitchen). Her easy home-cooking recipes reflect a collection born out of a deep love for food.

98. Nampwa

Nampwa, the food blogger behind “Forking around Lusaka” on Instagram, is a go-to source for food enthusiasts seeking new culinary experiences. Through detailed, honest, and engaging food reviews, she explores various restaurants, inviting followers to join her on a captivating Lusaka restaurant tour.

99. Chef Muthoni

Muthoni, a 24-year-old self-taught culinary virtuoso, food storyteller, and recipe developer hailing from Nairobi, Kenya. For her, cooking is an art—a perpetual learning journey where a single mistake in the kitchen has the potential to birth a new dish.

100. Bright Inegbenose

Bellaexplores, the dynamic lifestyle guide blogger, curates captivating content spanning food, travel, and lifestyle experiences in Lagos and beyond.

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