PIERRE THIAM
CHEF, RESTAURATEUR AND COOKBOOK AUTHOR
October 2023
Meet Pierre. The award-winning multi-hyphenate has spent his career spreading the word of his native West African cuisine and culture—and we are all the more richer for it. Now, with his third cookbook ‘Simply West African: Easy Joyful Recipes for Every Kitchen’, we get to experience his beloved soul-nourishing dishes in our own homes—Chicken Yassa Tacos or Maman’s Crispy Herb-Crusted Chicken and so many more. His company, Yolélé, named after the company’s signature product yolélé fonio (a delicious and nutritious grain), advocates for small farms in the Sahel. Much praise and admiration, am I right? Let’s catch up with Pierre, shall we?
Follow Pierre @chefpierrethiam
Who are you?
My name is Pierre Thiam, I am a husband, a father, a Chef, a restaurateur, a cookbook author, a social entrepreneur, a founder...I was born and raised in Dakar (Senegal) and my culinary inspiration is from West Africa.
What’s on your mind?
My mind is constantly wandering between what will I cook today to how I can change the world :)
Where are you right now?
I am presently in my garage/office at home in Oakland (CA).
Who are your heroes?
My heroes are freedom fighters like Amílcar Cabral or Nelson Mandela, food activists and creators like Jessica Harris, René Redzepi or Massimo Bottura & Pierre Gagnaire and also Muhammad Ali & Colin Kaepernick.
Why do you do what you do?
I love it!
What is your favorite thing to cook?
Seafood & Okra Gumbo over Fonio
What is your favorite thing to eat?
Seafood & Okra Gumbo over Fonio :)
Wise Words
LET IT BE
