Tastes of home from African sisters set for Good Food Show in Birmingham

The world of African cooking is not one that is familiar to many people outside of the continent.

While food from the Indian Subcontinent, North America, Europe and even the Caribbean have made a mark on the culinary scene, not much is know about the food of north, south, east or west Africa.

Two sisters from south London have taken it upon themselves to bring the food of their heritage and are on a mission to put Nigerian cuisine firmly on the food map.

Since 2016, Jess and Jo Edun, otherwise known as the Flygerians, have been sharing the rich flavours and traditions of their heritage, blending authentic recipes with a modern street food twist, and are ready to return to the Good Food Show in Birmingham on Thursday, November 26 for live demonstrations and samples of their many meals.

They said the show was always a fun experience and a chance to engage with a new audience.

Jess said: “We love it and I think it’s really fun to engage with a new audience and widen the audience, because Nigerians are all about world domination and making sure that we educate people on our food and our culture, so travelling to the Midlands for the Good Food Show is incredible.

“We’re British-born Nigerians, with both our parents from Nigeria, and that’s what we love to make sure we spotlight the true nationality and the fact that there are so many similarities between Nigerian and British food.

“That’s what we’re all about, bringing people together, being all inclusive and sticking to our grandmother’s ethos of no matter your race, gender or sexual creed, we want people to chop life before life chops you and enjoy it to the fullest.”

The sisters said the name of the company came from a colloquial term for anyone from Nigeria, saying that they could be described as loud, charismatic, bold and energetic, and said that after they were called that at school, the name stuck.

At the heart of The Flygerians’ work is a menu which highlights beloved Nigerian classics and innovative new creations, each plate telling a story of family, heritage, and identity.

With every event, supper club, and service, Jess and Jo have brought people together through food, proudly showcasing the richness of Nigerian cuisine and carving out space for African food in the UK’s culinary scene.

Jo said the food was flavoursome and gave you warmth and said people would enjoy the dishes they were cooking.

She said: “It’s just so flavoursome and juicy and that’s what’s important as, because I’m getting older, I can’t even take the spice too much, but it’s got the right level of heat to keep you warm, but not make your eyes cry.

“Everything in our kitchen is optional, particularly with dairy and gluten, and we create dishes that can be adapted to give that feel and flavour of Nigeria, but can also be tailored to the tastes of other people.

“We’re absolutely excited to be at the Good Food Show as it means we can interconnect with other great minds and chefs and people can try our brilliant flavours.”