Shared Flavours: The Power of Cultural Exchange through Cuisine - June 6th 2024

JN Bank UK hosted a conversation and food tasting event with Atinuke Aliu-Edomobi called: Shared Flavours – The Power of Cultural Exchange thorough Cuisine. This event was held at the JN Bank UK branch on June 6^th 2024 to a full room of foodie lovers. Atinuke is an author and cook show host. She recently published her cookbook Tales and Tatase and launched her cooking show of the same name on YouTube. Our Deputy CEO Paulette Simpson CBE led the conversation and moderated the event.

Tales and Tatase is a cookbook of staple Nigerian recipes with heart-warmingly funny stories about her upbringing. Her YouTube cooking show takes viewers on culinary adventures with fusion of cuisines from all over the world. In the lively discussion on the evening Atinuke read stories from her book and showed snippets from recent episodes of her cooking show.

From the lively conversations which resulted, some important points emerged about the power of food in bringing people together like music. She pointed out that culture is powerful and valuable. She said food is a huge driver of culture which also influence value. Atinuke wants to see African and Caribbean food enjoy the dominance that other food cultures benefit from. She wants the food to promote culture and have influence too.

In a multi-cultural country, it is natural that food and cultures will mix. How we prepare and use the wide variety of food we have access to will become more versatile.

Another point raised was that when a cuisine is exported, it does not mean that the flavour has to be compromised to suit culture. Atinuke shared that she enjoys putting her taste and culture into the mouth of other people and enjoys food from other cultures too.

In addition to the lovely spread of welcome drinks and refreshments provided for attendees. The Tales and Tatase team also served up an attractively presented three-course tasters for everyone at the event to enjoy during the conversation.

We were happy to share in this exciting conversation on food which is a powerful tool in bringing people and communities together.