In anticipation of hosting the 3rd Edition of the UN Tourism Gastronomy for Africa in 2026, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), alongside the National Tourist Board and the Monuments and Relics Commission, sampled a range of Sierra Leonean cuisines at a pop-up event held at Cole Street Guest House.
The event, spearheaded by Head Chef and proprietor Miatta Marke, featured a curated menu of traditional Sierra Leonean dishes, including fry cassava, akara, beans, huntu, archeke, and locally made juices. Marke emphasized the nutritional value and cultural significance of each delicacy, blending local ingredients with contemporary culinary techniques.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Tunis commended Chef Marke’s creativity in preserving and modernizing Sierra Leonean culinary traditions. “This is more than food — it’s a celebration of our culture and heritage, skillfully presented with an international flair,” she said.
Also present were Permanent Secretary Edward Kwame Yankson, Director of Tourism Mohamed Jalloh, General Manager of the National Tourist Board Farmata Mida Carew, and Administrative Manager of the Monuments and Relics Commission Ann-Marie Kamara, all of whom praised the exceptional quality and taste of the dishes served.
Chef Marke, known for her passion for international cuisines, has developed a food ethos at Cole Street Guest House that showcases the flavors of Sierra Leone through refined, locally sourced ingredients and classic international techniques.
By James Rogers
