Taste of Senegal Speakers & Guest Chef
Aissa Dione
Artist, gallery owner, and visionary entrepreneur, Aissa Dione has devoted many years to developing a unique expertise in the field of textile arts in West Africa. In addition to her artistic work, she has distinguished herself through her commitment to preserving local craft traditions and promoting endogenous economic development.
Chef Fatmata Binta
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and of Fulani descent, Chef Fatmata Binta honors her heritage through her acclaimed culinary work. Her unique dining concept, "Dine on a Mat," invites guests to experience indigenous African cuisine, blending traditional flavors with innovative techniques. Chef Binta has earned international recognition, including the Basque Culinary World Prize in 2022, and serves as a UN Ambassador for Responsible Tourism. She founded the Fulani Kitchen Foundation, which empowers women and promotes food security, particularly through the sustainable production of fonio, an ancient grain. Her ongoing projects include a Culinary Heritage Village in Ghana, aimed at preserving and promoting traditional African culinary practices. Chef Binta’s work transcends food, fostering cultural exchange, empowering women, and advocating for sustainability.
Maimouna Dembele
A Communications and Cultural Specialist, Maimouna Dembele is dedicated to youth empowerment and women in the arts. She has a rich background in media, having worked at Youssou Ndour’s 7 FM, where she created and hosted the hip hop show Blaster. Maimouna founded the Association HERS, which empowers women and girls through the arts, and hosted the TV show LifeStories. An advocate for African culture, she has chaired the Music In Africa Foundation since 2018 and is an ambassador for the Made in Africa brand.
LoIis Elie
Lolis Elie is a New Orleans born, Los Angeles based writer and filmmaker. His television credits include work on “Bosch,” “The Chi,” "The Man in the High Castle," "Greenleaf" and the HBO series "Treme." Working with the award-winning director Dawn Logsdon, he co- produced and wrote the PBS documentary, Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans. He is the co-author or “Rodney Scott’s World of Barbecue: Every Day’s a Good Day,” from Clarkson-Potter. His essay, “America’s Greatest Hits,” is included in Best African American Essays: 2009. A former columnist for The Times-Picayune, he is the author of Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in the Heart of Barbecue Country and co-producer and writer of Smokestack Lightning: A Day in the Life of Barbecue, the documentary based on that book. He is editor of Cornbread Nation 2: The Best of Southern Food Writing. A contributing writer to The Oxford American, his work has appeared in Gourmet, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Downbeat and The San Francisco Chronicle.