I am Isatu from Sierra Leone.  Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa bordered by Guinea, Liberia and the Atlantic Ocean.  I am a Fulani, and my tribal identity is as important as my national identity. Sierra Leone is a culturally diverse country, rich in a number of minerals including diamonds and gold. 

Cooking has always been my passion. As a very young child, I was already pretending to be a chef and made my siblings play along with this game.  I started cooking for real when I was 12 years old at my mother’s side.  She started by giving me simple tasks to do and gradually taught me how to prepare dishes properly.  I am grateful that she  shared her secret tips with me. 

I believe it is important to continuously develop oneself and in the importance of community.  Putting these principles into practice, I became a volunteer chef with the Red Cross and with Connect All Community,  cooking for over 60 people every week.

I bring humour and joy to everything I do, including my cookery classes.   I am sure you will enjoy your time learning about Sierra Leone and its cuisine. I look forward to welcoming you!