Across countries, 8 climate zones and thousands of different ethnic groups, Africa is united in a universal language: flavor.
From fragrant Jollof rice to highly spiced stews and staples like injera and fufu, the mainland’s cuisine is unrivaled in its diversity, inviting deeper exploration that can’t be found in the Milwaukee region.
An upcoming series of hands-on workshops aims to replace that, bringing together local chefs and educators on eight occasions covering classic recipes, gastronomic desserts, the history of agriculture and much more.
The immersion sessions, which add panel discussions, box trips and site visits, will allow participants to notice how African immigrants and refugees have shaped trendy American cuisine.
The series will culminate with a celebratory gala, fundraiser, and chef’s festival on Nov. 10.
Yollande Tchouapi Deacon is leading this ambitious project, billed as the first of its kind in Wisconsin. The chef, originally from Cameroon, is known for Irie Zulu, a restaurant in Wauwatosa – now closed – that served a rotating menu. of East, Southern and West African dishes, as well as Jamaican cuisine.
The Harvard Business graduate now holds a leadership position at Johnson Controls as he works to magnify African culture through Ubuntu MKE.
The Ubuntu MKE workshop series is scheduled to begin in mid-September and continue in early November, concluding just before the celebratory gala.
While all inquiries are open to the public, Wisconsin chefs are invited to participate in the full course as part of the Ubuntu Perspectives residency. Those who do so will be included in the Top Chef Flavors of Africa and Wisconsin Diaspora contest, which will take place at the gala.
The workshops address the history of Southern farmers’ eating behavior and its influence on American cuisine (September 15); Positive Dialogue on Diversity, Inclusion, LGBTQ, Race Relations, and Black History (Sept. 29); Flavours of traditional Ugandan cuisine (5 October); Building a Community: Fruition MKE and Saveurs du Cameroun (13 October); Flavors of Traditional Ghanaian Cuisine (October 20); Farm-to-Table Dinner: Beulah Farm (Oct. 26); Eradicating Food Deserts from Inner Cities: The Story of Sherman Park/Black Holocaust Museum (October 27); Nominees, winners, rising stars, Michael Twitty, and James Beard guest chefs (Nov. 9).
A detailed description of each session, as well as its panelists, time and location, is available online. Tickets are $90 per workshop and can be purchased on the event website.
At the upcoming gala, a group of Wisconsin chefs will leverage their newly acquired knowledge of African cuisine to prepare dishes that are enlivened through the residency experience and incorporate “Afro-fusion flavors,” according to Ubuntu MKE.
A star-studded panel of judges including James Beard Hall of Famer Pierre Thiam, restaurateur Edouardo Jordan, Milwaukee food enthusiast Derek Mosley and others will rank the dishes based on taste, presentation, cultural relevance and creativity.
The awards will be awarded in five categories: star chef, technically executed dish, choice of the public and judges, emblematic restaurant of diversity and humanitarian chef.
Chefs, city leaders and food enthusiasts will gather at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway on Nov. 10 to mark the finishing touches on this months-long initiative while enjoying African food tastings, cultural performances, music and dance.
Afternoon highlights will include catering by Irie Zulu and Afro Fusion Cuisine, the Wisconsin Top Chef Competition, a fashion walk and a keynote address by The Cooking Gene Michael Twitty.
More than 40 restaurants and hospitality companies will supply food and beverages for the event. This includes Blue Star Cafe, Immy’s African Cuisine, Uppa Yard, Frankie’s, Room Service, EsterEv, Saffron and dozens more.
The occasion will begin with a VIP reception from 2:00 p. m. to 3 p. m. , with general admission starting at 3 p. m. to 7 p. m. Late holiday arrivals are from 4:30 p. m. m. at 7 p. m.
The ticket costs between $150 and $600 and can be purchased online. Proceeds from the event will go to Pride United, Alice’s Garden, Hunger Task Force and Milwaukee African Women-Refugees.
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