When we were growing up Zimbabwean food was never celebrated. The people cooking on TV were always making western food or Indian food. At school I did Food and Nutrition and it did not include any of the foods that we ate at home at least for most of the black Zimbabweans. I have no problem with being aspirational which I assume was the purpose of the design of the syllabus but I think that balance is needed.
With the internet, the are many Zimbabwean bloggers who are mixing traditional and modern in a beautiful way. It makes me so happy that our food is being documented and being shared with the rest of the world.
Here are some bloggers that I like to follow and you may want to check out too.
Fiso’s Kitchen
Fiso is probably the most popular Zimbabwean food blogger. Most people know her for her recipe for Zimbabwe Sweet Buns or as they are known, Fiso’s Buns. Based in the UK she often recreates recipes for food that we all used to love growing up like candy cake. Her blogs sound like you are talking to your friend.
Ivy’s Kitchennete
Ivy has the most beautiful images and her presentation is always on point. Her food is mostly the traditional Zimbawean food with a modern twist.
Zimbo Kitchen
Rumbi is based in Zimbabwe and shares a lot of traditional and modern foods. Her food makes me nostalgic seeing all the things I miss about Zimbabwe.
Carl Can Cook
Carl Joshua Ncube is known by most as a comedian but he is also a great cook, at least that is what I get from his pictures and recipes. He released a cook book in December last year and he now runs a restaurant with his wife in Kadoma.
Everything A Mum
Rumbidzai is based in the US and blogs about her family and often features other people too. You can tell she loves to cook for her family especially during the holidays.
Pepper and Stew
Not only is Rachel an amazing blogger but she also sells sauces and spice mixes that I can vouch for. She is not afraid of pushing boundaries, she fried sadza! I may just try it.
These are the bloggers I can think of right now. Let me know of any other Zimbabwean food bloggers out there for me and others to check out.