If you know a little bit about Berkeley, California, one will agree that it is provides the perfect backdrop for an annual event called The Bizerkely Food Festival that is the largest vegan food festival showcasing the best in plant-based cuisine, art and apparel.

Founder and plant-based lifestyle advocate Erika Hazel launched the first one in 2020 with scavenger hunt version that got vegan food enthusiasts out to support small vegan businesses during an especially challenging time.

Fast forward to today and more than 5000 attendees attended in person this September to enjoy and support both local and national businesses dedicated to plant-based and healthy living.

Erika is sharing her personal journey and what's next in her work to promote plant-based living.

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Diaspora Food Stories is produced by The Global Food and Drink Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit. Together with your generous donation we can continue to preserve the oral history and culture of Black food and drink stories both in English and other languages spoken throughout the African diaspora. To donate, visit globalforgood.org.

Website: Diaspora Food Stories

Episode Sponsors

Tea's Me

Hayti

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Kudakwashe Makoni, aka Chef Kuda, raised in the kitchen by his grandmother who he says spoiled him. At 19, his family moved the U.S. settling in Texas where he went to school and began to pursue a career in industries other than food.

But it wasn’t long before food came calling and after going to culinary school and moving back to Zimbabwe to continue honing his skills and techniques in African cuisine, The Black Chef as he is known was born.

Now living in Ghana with pursuits around the world, Chef Kuda details his journey from cooking in his homeland of Zimbabwe to now making sure the world knows the essence of and enjoys Zimbabwean cuisine.

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Diaspora Food Stories is produced by The Global Food and Drink Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit. Together with your generous donation we can continue to preserve the oral history and culture of Black food and drink stories both in English and other languages spoken throughout the African diaspora. To donate, visit globalforgood.org.

Website: Diaspora Food Stories

Episode Sponsors

Tea's Me

Hayti

Steps away from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is a beautity boutique hotel built from the vision of Dr. Matifadza Nyazema or Dr. Mati, former journalist and hospitality veteran.

She built Mbano Manor Hotel from the ground up over the couse of three years between 2016 and 2019, opening her doors in February 2020 right before the world shut down for the COVID pandemic.

But just as beautiful as the 18-room property with a one presidential suite is the story of vision, faith and determination to create a legacy agains all odds.

We are sharing her story over three episodes so get ready to be amazed and inspired, knowing that if you put your mind to something and really work to make it happen, it will.

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Diaspora Food Stories is produced by The Global Food and Drink Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit. Together with your generous donation we can continue to preserve the oral history and culture of Black food and drink stories both in English and other languages spoken throughout the African diaspora. To donate, visit globalforgood.org.

Episode Sponsors

Tea's Me

Hayti