Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, former refugees from Burundi and owners of the restaurant Baobab Fare in Detroit, are finalists for the prestigious 2024 James Beard Awards. These culinary Oscars honor restaurants and chefs in 22 categories, covering a wide range of cuisines.
The menu offered by the couple's restaurant, Baobab Fare, features traditional East African dishes, such as kuku, a pan-fried chicken in a spicy mustard and onion sauce, served with plantain fries, stewed yellow beans, and coconut rice.
"We did not speak the language. You can imagine life was not easy for us, and we couldn't find work. The idea was: 'How can we make it? How can we survive?' Nadia and I came up with the idea to open a restaurant," said Hamissi Mamba, a James Beard Award finalist, quoted by Africanews.
The restaurant's nomination for the James Beard Awards demonstrates recognition of the quality of their cuisine and service, having won the hearts of customers and food critics alike.
Being finalists for the James Beard Awards is an immense achievement for Hamissi and Nadia, highlighting the potential and talent of refugees in the restaurant industry. Their inspiring story and exceptional cuisine attract customers from around the world, making Baobab Fare a must-visit destination in Detroit.
The award ceremony will be held this Monday, June 10, in Chicago.
The James Beard Awards, also known as the "Oscars of Gastronomy," are the most prestigious awards in the culinary field in the United States. They are presented annually by the James Beard Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to promote American culinary culture.
The James Beard Awards celebrate excellence in various categories related to gastronomy, including cooking, pastry, beverages, restaurants, culinary literature, and media broadcasting. The winners are selected by a panel of over 600 independent judges, composed of renowned chefs, culinary journalists, restaurateurs, and sommeliers.
The awards are presented at an annual ceremony held in New York. In addition to individual awards, a special prize is awarded each year to honor a remarkable personality in the gastronomy industry.
The James Beard Awards play an important role in recognizing talent and innovation in the field of gastronomy in the United States, serving as a benchmark for industry professionals and food enthusiasts alike.
