My name is Mirabel Umenei, I am a cook, singer, songwriter, and founder of Motherland Cooking Xperience, the only African cultural experience in the USA. We showcase Africa and its diversity through intimate, unique, interactive, and authentic cooking demo experiences paired with live music, drinks, and storytelling from Africa. 

As a child, while helping my mum cook Cameroonian delicacies, she'd share fun memories of her mom and grandma and their recipes. Now being far away from home, I see the importance of passing down this rich heritage to my kids, the next generation, and also to my new home, USA.  We are excited to share these recipes and stories with you. Our cooks are seasoned cooks from different African countries, each one bringing their own style, stories, and history with love. So, come away with us to Africa!

What we will do: 

We will visit various African countries together by cooking some of the best dishes from each region accompanied by live music and storytelling. Your taste buds, soul, and mind will thank you at the end. 

After booking, you will be given directions on how to join the virtual experience online. You will also be provided with a list of ingredients to purchase along with some drinks and snacks. We can deliver the pre-portioned ingredients to your doorstep for an additional fee. We will introduce ourselves before we conduct this rare, virtual African cooking experience. 

I will be teaching you how to make Cameroonian Grilled fish, Sauteed Greens, Fried Plantains and Banana Puff Puff. First, we will prep our fish. While the fish/meat/veggies are soaking up all those juicy flavors from the marinade, we will prepare veggies and greens for the flavorful stew base for our sauteed greens and fried plantains.  While we cook and eat, you will be entertained by live African music. You will also take the recipes home with you.  

Prior to opening Motherland Cooking Xperience, we've hosted countless private dinners showcasing Africa's rich and diverse culture by pairing food, live music, and drinks using local ingredients in Greater Grand Rapids, MI. We're passionate about cooking, music, and showcasing Africa. We will love to show you how to perfect some of the most delicious African dishes.

Where this event is taking place:

This event is online. We will send you details on how to join the virtual experience. You will need:

A computer or phone with audio and video connections. 

Salt, some cooking oil and of course pots, knives, etc.

What you should bring:

+ 2 pounds of cleaned fish of your choice or pompano/red snapper/sea bass/tilapia,

a bunch of Thai basil, mint, celery,

3 inches ginger, 8 cloves of garlic,

1 onion,

Salt,

olive oil or 2 cups vegetable oil

8 small seasoning cubes (Maggi),

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper,

4 garlic cloves - blended

2-inch ginger root (ground),

4 medium tomatoes (blended)

1 habanero (hot) pepper optional, 1 onion - chopped

I liter of vegetable oil

2 pounds of blanched Greens of your choice (Turnip, mustard, kale, spinach or a mix of these)

1 pound of meat of your choice

5 ripe Plantains

8 bananas and 4 - 5 cups of self-rising flour.