“It is not only empowering to represent heritage and identity through food—it has the power to heal our generational trauma…”
In collaboration with Artspace NC:
Embark on an unforgettable evening with Chopped winner and 2023 North Carolina Chef of the Year, Adé Carrena, as she invites you to a fully immersive journey celebrating the vibrant intersection of West African and Southern U.S. cuisines.
The evening begins with a traditional Béninese hand-washing ceremony, honoring the rich cultural heritage of Chef Adé’s homeland. From there, savor in a thoughtfully curated 5-course tasting menu, each dish a tribute to cultural reclamation, cultural exchange, and the contributions of local farms. Expertly paired wines accompany each course, setting the stage for meaningful conversations.
Adding depth to the experience, every course is introduced with a segment from Chef Adé’s award-winning documentary, Bite of Bénin, offering a powerful narrative of heritage, identity, and culinary artistry.
This event is more than a dinner—it’s a celebration of community and storytelling. Together we’ll explore ways to inspire healing across the African Diaspora and Indigenous communities, foster equity, and redefine love and belonging for ourselves and those we cherish. Join us for an evening that nourishes the soul as much as the palate.
About Chef Adé:
Adé Carrena is a chef and storyteller who specializes in Neo-West African cuisine.
She was the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s 2023 Chef of the Year and the 2023 People’s Choice award recipient for her first film, Bite of Bénin, at Beyond: The Cary Film Festival. Her mission is to bridge cultural gaps, reimagine West African food, and create safe spaces for important conversations that inspire healing across the African Diaspora.
Adé has spent the last 8 years curating culinary experiences highlighting Black foodways while supporting local Black and Indigenous farmers. She is the founder and owner of iLéWA Foods, an innovative CPG Brand that aims to build more equitable futures by creating economic opportunity to empower women producers in West Africa as agents within global markets.
About Artspace NC:
Artspace, your host for this event, is a non-profit visual arts center located in Downtown Raleigh. Visit Artspace for a multitude of exhibitions featuring national and local artists and to enjoy a community of more than 35 artists working in studio, artists in residence, and to find other art classes for all ages and abilities.
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