2-Part Virtual African Cooking Class
In celebration of Women’s History Month and Earth Day, join us for our first ever online African Cooking Class, brought to you by Harambee Centre’s co-founder and president, and cookbook author, Grace Kuto! Proceeds will support our new Tree Planting Project for Food Security in honor of Wangari Maathai, founder of The Green Belt Movement.
Trees contribute to food security and play a key role in maintaining and developing African communities. Classes will embody the spirit of Wangari Maathai, who we honor for Women’s History Month and Earth Day. Wangari is the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, first East African woman to earn a doctorate degree and founder of The Green Belt Movement which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya alone.
Wangari (middle) supported and inspired Harambee Centre’s co-founders Jackie Goldrick (left) and Grace Kuto (right) when they began developing the organization in the early 80’s.
The Trees & Food Security Connection
Cooking is a vital life-sustaining part of our daily lives. The science of cooking requires three essential elements: water, heat, and food. In Africa, there is a fourth factor that fulfills the art of cooking – women! When these elements are compromised, so is the quality of life.
Women collecting water.
Women collecting firewood.
Crop destroyed by flooding.
Learn More in the Cooking Class
Only 15 spots available!
Thursday, April 22nd
6:00-7:00pm PST
Introduction
The first class will be an introduction to the rich history and traditions of East African food culture with an emphasis on Wangari Maathai’s impact on rural East Africa and why trees support food security. We will also delve deeper into the key elements of water, heat, food, and women’s roles. There will be time for discussion and questions.
Thursday, April 29th
6:00-7:30pm PST
Cooking Day
In the second class, you will learn how to make three delicious East African dishes: chicken or lentil curry, matoke (steamed green bananas), and spinach with groundnut sauce. A shopping list and recipes will be available to registered students about a week in advance. We invite you to cook alongside Grace and enjoy a flavorful East African dinner. Cooks of all ages and experience levels are welcome.
Interested, but the class is full or the dates don’t work?
Please complete this short form to let us know. If there is enough interest, we will offer more classes.
More ways to learn about East African Cuisine & Food Culture
Buy an African Cookbook
We recommend Harambee! Stories and Recipes from the African Family Circle Cookbook by Grace Kuto, Harambee Centre Co-Founder and President. This book embodies the spirit of Harambee, communities working together for global good. In addition to capturing the life, traditions, and delicious recipes of rural East Africa, this edition brings inspirational stories of volunteers and those who have benefited from services at Chwele Health Clinic in Grace's home village in Kenya. Proceeds will support the Tree Planting Project for Food Security.
Host a Harambee Dinner
Looking for a unique, dinner at home? We invite you to host a Harambee Dinner Experience! Fill your table and experience the rich culture of Africa through story, pictures, and authentic African cuisine. Dinners are typically $50/guest and include a copy of Grace’s cookbook for the host. Proceeds will support the Tree Planting Project for Food Security. Note: Dinners will be adapted to follow COVID-19 safety recommendations and comfort levels of the host, their guests, and Harambee Centre volunteers.
Try a local African Restaurant
Portland is blessed to have a several African restaurants that specialize in a variety of cuisines from across the continent. Visit our local area restaurant guide for ideas.