TAKE TEN
MAMA AFRICA New Yummy columnist Anyiko Owoko meets Yemi Alade, the accomplished Nigerian singer who was crowned Best Female Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards for a second time in a row on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at The Sarova Stanley. The chef prepared Jollof rice, coconut rice, grilled chicken and the Stanley’s signature garden salad. We enjoy hearty laughs over an intimate chat on all things food, drinks and lifestyle. It’s wonderful to discover that Yemi is a die-hard foodie who’s recently started a new healthy journey. When it comes to matters food-related, she asserts that just like the message of her hit song ‘Africa’ featuring our very own Sauti Sol, “no other be like African food”. 1. What food or drink items are on your tech rider? The one thing that has to be on my rider is my special black tea but I can’t reveal how it’s made. I have to drink it a specific way because it helps my voice renew itself. I also have a personal pack of tea that I always carry in my bag. I always ask for a variety of food when I travel but my favourites are fruit salads or barbecue chicken (drumsticks only). 2. If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be? If I have everything I like in excess it’s not good for me. However, if I had to
choose, I would eat salads all my life, salads are healthy. I would get bored of anything else in excess. 3. What 5 food items are always in your kitchen? I love beans because they’re healthy. I need a sharp knife because I don’t have time to waste struggling to chop! I also need to have Maggie for sizzling. I need gas in the kitchen - no time for struggling with three stones. Lastly, I need clean hand towels because I wash my hands a lot while cooking and I always need to keep the counter clean. 4. What did you enjoy during Coke Studio Africa’s Food Exchange? Nyashinski served me pilau and kuku choma with some freshly sliced tomatoes in garlic. I love pilau! Before the Food Exchange I had been eating pilau in Kenya but didn’t know the name; I thought it was a Kenyan version of fried rice but it’s like a mix of fried rice and Jollof rice. 5. If someone were to buy you a drink at the bar, what would you order? Depends on time of the day. If it’s
early in the morning, give me a cup of English black tea with two drops of milk. It has to be two – if not it doesn’t count. In the afternoon, I love fresh juice especially fresh mango juice or water with ice cubes and slices of lemon. In the evening I love my Long Island [Iced Tea] or a sweet red wine with dinner. 6. Do you have a personal chef? What does he/she cook for you? I used to have one in Nigeria but not anymore because I am hardly there and I was also done with the services he was providing. He made some great dishes but it was my favourite meals that he wasn’t cooking well. I now like to cook for myself. I live activity-filled days so when I get home I need to have a good meal; don’t play with me when it comes to food. Male chefs are said to be the best. So it’s sad that mine was the opposite, I got tired of asking him to chop things for me to cook. 7. What’s your go-to midnight snack? The meal I had before sleep was so amazing that I can’t stop thinking about it. I started a healthy journey of watching my weight so now I wake up
to fruits like watermelon or grapes. I am always hungry at night and always wake up to eat because I now eat in small portions. 8. What’s the one dish that you cook to perfection? Egusi soup (a traditional Nigerian soup made from melons), seafood fried rice and Jollof rice. 9. What’s your all-time favourite meal? I love my Egusi soup and Edikainkong soup (a soup made from seafood, pumpkin leaf and pepper). 10. Do you have a pet? Would you spoil your pet? I used to have a pet. Now I wouldn’t have time to take care of my dog because of my extensive travel and tours. I chose to adopt a flower pot instead because it’s not as demanding. If I had a pet I wouldn’t spoil it because I know it’s very easy for my pet to be overweight or too tired to get up and run towards me.
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