Welcome to the Culinary Institute of America’s African Diaspora Boot Camp: Roots, Routes & Flavor. During this immersive culinary experience, you will trace the extraordinary journey of West and Central African food traditions across the Atlantic world through the Gullah Geechee corridor, the Caribbean islands, and the African American South — to the contemporary chefs carrying these traditions forward today.
By the end of this course, you will have a deeper cultural and historical understanding of African Diaspora cuisine, expanded technical skills, and a practical framework for integrating these traditions into your kitchen, classroom, or menu with respect and accuracy.
Downloadable course material (PDF format):
Course Guide
Chef Lectures:
Day One: Roots: The African Pantry and the Atlantic World
Day Two: Routes: Migration, Technique & the Gullah Geechee
Day Three: Crossroads: Afro-Caribbean & Diaspora Connections
Day Four: Inheritance: African-American Southern Foodways
Day Five: Flavor: Modern Interpretation & Menu Integration