The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, actively participated in Chef Niema’s Chef’s Table an immersive food-tasting experience that highlighted the richness and global potential of Sierra Leone’s culinary arts.

The event brought together key dignitaries, including the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr; the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Mida Carew; and other distinguished guests. It served as a strategic platform and test case for positioning Sierra Leonean cuisine on the global stage, particularly in anticipation of the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Gastronomy Forum for Africa, which Sierra Leone will host later this year.

Chef Niema presented a creative fusion menu inspired by Mexican cuisine, reflecting her belief that Sierra Leonean food has the versatility to resonate across cultures worldwide. From avocado rice and cassava bread to barracuda, chickpea, and mushroom stew, each dish beautifully blended Sierra Leonean culinary traditions with international influences.

This initiative strongly aligns with the Ministry’s “Culture and Creativity Year,” reinforcing efforts to promote cultural identity, innovation, and tourism through gastronomy.