Zoe Adjonyoh facts for kids

Zoe Adjonyoh, born in 1977, is a talented British writer and cook. She is well-known for creating "Zoe's Ghana Kitchen." This is a special kind of restaurant that "pops up" in different places for a short time. It is also the name of her first cookbook, which is full of delicious Ghanaian recipes.

About Zoe Adjonyoh

Early Life and Cooking Journey

Zoe was born in Essex, England, in the late 1970s. Her father was from Ghana, and her mother was from Ireland. They met in Kilburn, North London.

Zoe taught herself how to cook the amazing foods from her father's home country. In 2010, she set up a small stall at a local arts festival. She sold tasty peanut stew, and people loved it! Because her food was so popular, she decided to start a restaurant. She called it Zoe's Ghana Kitchen, and it began right in her East London home.

From Studies to Success

Zoe first started making and selling Ghanaian food to help pay for her Creative Writing studies. She was studying for her master's degree at Goldsmiths, University of London. However, her teacher suggested that focusing on her food business might be a better way to inspire her writing.

Since then, Zoe has opened her pop-up restaurants in many different places. She has had them in various locations across London, and even in other cities like Berlin and New York. Zoe has said that the main idea behind Ghana Kitchen is to take people on a "food journey." She wants them to try new ingredients and flavors they have never tasted before. She sees it as an adventure and enjoys guiding people through it.

Her Cookbook and Other Works

Zoe is the author of a book published in 2017, also called Zoe's Ghana Kitchen. The famous food writer Ruby Tandoh said that the cookbook is like a "portrait" of Zoe. It shows her personality and her heritage in a fun and lively way.

Another reviewer, Wendell Brock, described Zoe's book as "delightfully quirky." He noted that she shares her own versions of Ghanaian dishes. The book also includes funny stories about her experiences in Ghana. She even talks about how she mixes her Irish mother's cooking with her African father's cuisine. The book even suggests music playlists to listen to while cooking and eating!

In 2019, Zoe wrote a short piece about her father. This piece was included in a collection of writings called New Daughters of Africa. This book was put together by Margaret Busby.

Awards and Recognition

Zoe Adjonyoh has received special awards for her work. In 2018, she won the Culinary Iconoclast Award. This award celebrates people who bring new and bold ideas to the world of cooking.

Also in 2018, Zoe was chosen to be a judge for the Great Taste Awards. These awards are very important in the food and drink world. Many people call them "the Oscars of the food and drink world" because they are so highly respected.