Meet William and Lulu Wood, a Zambian couple known for their work in reframing and promoting Zambian cuisine through a contemporary lens, primarily through their platform, The Wood Kitchen.

I went to The Wood Kitchen when I was visiting Lusaka a short while ago and had a fabulous time chatting with the couple. This is a family endeavour that focuses on sharing easy fusion recipes, cooking tips, and celebrating Zambia's diverse and delicious foods. As you'll hear, Lulu and William are acutely conscious of the cost of food in today's Zambia - food inflation, although down from July's figure, was in August this year at just under 15%. So affordability is an essential element of their recipes. They use digital media (like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube) to showcase their work.

Speaking to William and Lulu, I soon discovered that their main goal is to promote an under-explored cuisine by elevating and showcasing traditional Zambian dishes, which they feel are often underrated on the global stage.

Fusion Cooking: They blend traditional Zambian foods from their respective heritage (Tonga and Lozi tribes) with techniques and flavours they've encountered while visiting various countries, creating a unique fusion style.

Championing Local Ingredients: They emphasize using local, ethically sourced Zambian ingredients. They grow many of their own vegetables and herbs, a practice they recommend.

Food Influencers: They've gained a growing online following and have been recognized as SME change-makers by META for harnessing digital media. They have also represented Zambia internationally in food events.

Cultural Preservation: They see food as a powerful tool for celebrating and preserving Zambian heritage, educating both younger generations and wider audiences about their culture through cooking and sharing recipes.

I hope you enjoy this show as much as I did making it. MD

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