African Fusion Cooking

Akidi anyone? Yam goulash? Fancy some Cassava casserole? Or maybe some delicious Suya or Marrow Stuffed with Ackee Fruit? And how about Baked Mango Pudding for dessert?
How many of you know anything about African Fusion cookery? Not many I’d guess. So be prepared to set your taste buds tingling (but not with heat!) with Nina Gaskell’s African Fusion Cooking.
Nina was born in Nigeria and has lived in the UK since 1963. Together with her second husband Jeremy, she has travelled widely and the food they have tasted world-wide has inspired her to write a recipe book fusing African ingredients with European and other global influences to create new and exciting variations on traditional themes – Plantain Moussaka being one such example.
Thanks to Roger Ellis and Alan Shepherd we have the use of the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) which boasts a well equipped kitchen and an excellent dining hall. Consequently the organiser didn’t hesitate to get Nina on board for us with an evening of African Fusion Cooking.
Our evening will begin with a glass of something fizzy whilst Nina tells us about African food and African Fusion Cooking. She will then demonstrate some quick and easy recipes and talk us through some others in her book. We will naturally have a chance to taste these dishes accompanied by red and white wine.
Never one to hold back on experimentation, Nina has created a mouth-watering array of starters, mains and desserts. She incorporates some vastly different ingredients from those we would normally use – African staple foods such as blackeyed beans, okra, coconut milk, and sweet potatoes, as well as egusi seeds and plantain - but all are readily available in high street shops. For those who may have a few reservations, don’t worry. African food is not usually mouth-searingly hot and loaded with chillies but there will be chilli dips for those who like it hot.
At time of going to print, Nina has already decided to show us her signature dish of Blackeyed Beans and Sweet Potato Pie (AKIDI), Yam Goulash, Chicken in Peanut Sauce and carrot balls The other dishes will be selected nearer the time but we can guarantee a feast to tickle your taste buds and you won’t leave hungry!
This is something completely different for the London Branch. We have been very lucky indeed to secure Nina as she is much in demand and has also been busy filming. Moreover this is not the sort of event she usually does (nor do we for that matter!!) so we would urge you to support the event and even bring your friends. Nina has a very bubbly sense of humour and this shows in her passion for food so as well as having a tasty informative evening it will be fun.
A signed copy of Nina’s cookery book is included in the event cost. To find out more about Nina and African Fusion cooking, visit Nina’s website: www.africanfusioncooking.com.

If you have any specific dietary requirements, please check with the Organiser before booking.