Ida's African Cooking Experience

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the local culture and cuisine by participating in a hands-on cooking class held in the home of renowned Gambian chef Ida Cham Njai. To enhance this authentic culinary experience, you will change into traditional African clothing. This will be followed by a short walk in the organic garden to harvest some of your key ingredients and then head to kitchen to participate in the food preparation. Please note that the menu changes according to the season. You will likely learn to make fish stew, a hearty peanut stew known as domoda or jollof rice, which is the national dish of Gambia. The latter is also called benachin, meaning “one pot” in the local Wolof language. Ida will offer tips and techniques on how best to prepare the chosen dish, which you will enjoy for lunch. As you dine, Ida will elaborate on her culinary training and how she has helped develop sustainable tourism in Gambia with an emphasis on women and entrepreneurship. You will also be taught how to make ornaments and the traditional Bin Bin.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn to prepare a popular Gambian dish in the home of an acclaimed Gambian chef.
• Harvest some of your local ingredients for the dish.
• Enjoy the finished dish for lunch along with a cup of brewed attaya tea.
• Make the experience even more immersive by changing into traditional African clothing.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.