In this joyful episode with Yewande Daniel-Ayoade, we reflect on food and what it says about our identity and tolerance for others. Yewande tells me about how #jollofgate inspired her latest work, Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War, and how she wanted to create a book that opens up conversations about the beauty of traditional meals.
We also talk about territorialism and how it shows up in culinary wars, why we feel the need to compare culinary choices, and what it means to grow in tolerance for others who may not understand our food and its importance to us.
As we bring things to a close, Yewande shares a summary of her writing journey, and how the support of friends and sheer determination to make her dreams come true resulted in her first book and the subsequent ones.
There is laughter and joy in this episode, and I hope you enjoy listening/watching as much as we enjoyed making it.
Parents or adults with children in their lives: Yewande’s book is a conversation starter. I hope you purchase it, read it to the child/children in your life, and reflect on your own interactions with food.
Show highlights
- Why are we so territorial about food?
- Why does the existence of Ghanian jollof rattle Nigerians so much?
- Is there a connection between what we eat and what we think of ourselves?
- Do we ever achieve tolerance?
- What is Yewande Daniel-Ayoade’s writing journey?
- A shift to the whimsical and understanding seasons of change
- Which jollof is the best jollof?
- What is the secret to staying on the journey of the art?
“Food is just a metaphor for life.”
Yewande Daniel-Ayoade
Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War is available for purchase through the links below.
Got any thoughts on this episode, or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
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About Yewande Daniel-Ayoade
Yewande Daniel-Ayoade is a children’s author of books that celebrate West African history and culture. Her book, THE LITTLE REGENT won the 2025 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz children’s book award. A mom of five, Yewande lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family.
Find out more about Yewande: https://www.ydaniel-ayoade.com
About Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War
A neighborhood cooking competition sparks a battle for the tastiest jollof rice
Jollof rice is a signature dish in many countries in West Africa. Each country has its own regional variation of the recipe, and each believes their version is better!
Dele’s favourite dish is his mum’s Nigerian-style jollof rice. It’s also the most popular dish at their neighborhood potluck. But this month, a new girl and her family have moved from Senegal into Dele’s building, and they bring a different kind of jollof rice to the potluck. Unsurprisingly, Dele and Aminata each insist that their own mother’s dish is best.
This competitive spirit grows even stronger when both families cook their jollof rice recipes for a local competition. Dele and Aminata attempt to out-do one another, and both dishes are ruined in the process. But the cooking disaster helps Dele and Aminata realize that there may be yet another way to make jollof rice …
Warm, immersive illustrations bring this story of pride, jealousy, and cultural heritage to life.
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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