From Jollof to Global Dialogue: Ghana’s Food Tourist, Chef Abbys Bridges Cultures at Abu Dhabi’s 2025 BRIDGE Summit.
The landscape of influence is shifting. Where once the world’s most potent storytellers were limited to cinema screens and print pages, today’s cultural diplomats are found on short-form video platforms, leveraging algorithms to build empires of empathy.
Amidst discussions about AI, gaming, and the future of journalism, a Ghanaian culinary star, Chef Abena Amoakoa Sintim-Aboagye, stepped onto the main stage. Known globally for her vibrant handle, Chef Abbys stepped forward as part of a new vanguard.
Her presence and insights were a powerful statement, underscoring that the humble kitchen is now one of the most exciting frontiers in the digital economy.
The Rise of the African Food Tourist
Chef Abbys journey is a compelling case study in the modern creator success story. As a self-described “African Food Tourist,” she has transcended the title of chef to become a cultural preservationist, using her platform to document and celebrate the rich, diverse flavours of Ghana and the wider continent.
Her dedication to cultural authenticity has not gone unnoticed. In a historic nod to the power of digital culinary storytelling, she was recently listed on TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential Creators in the World for 2025. Her work is driven by a profound understanding that food is a non-negotiable part of identity.
As Sintim-Aboagye shared in a prior interview, “Every ingredient has meaning. Every method carries memory… When you cook a country’s traditional food, you learn its values, its struggles, and its soul. It teaches you respect for the people and the heritage behind the dish.” At the BRIDGE Summit, she brought this philosophy to the forefront of global media conversation.
Chef Abbys and Andrew Zimmern on Culinary Storytelling
A highlight of the summit’s Creator Economy track was the much-anticipated fireside session, where Chef Abbys moderated and co-spoke with legendary Emmy-winning host, chef, and food advocate, Andrew Zimmern. The session was framed as an “intergenerational conversation” to explore the evolving dynamics of culinary storytelling.
Zimmern, renowned for the Bizarre Foods franchise, represents the “legacy storyteller,” whose influence was built through long-form, deep-dive television travelogues. Chef Abbys embodies the “new-generation creator” who has ascended in the fast-paced, algorithm-driven world of digital platforms.
The discussion navigated the delicate balance between maintaining authenticity and chasing virality. Key takeaways centered on the challenge of building trust in a fragmented media landscape. Zimmern reflected on the time and patience required for pre-social-media storytelling. In contrast, Chef Abbys offered critical insights into leveraging real-time audience feedback and platform tools to build community and connect across cultures at scale.
They looked at how food content, from long documentaries to quick TikTok clips, can drive social impact and bridge cultural divides. Chef Abbys showed how young African creators challenge old misrepresentations by telling their own stories on their own terms.
The BRIDGE Summit itself is a critical platform for this kind of dialogue.
The summit’s vision aligns perfectly with Chef Abbys work: creating connections, or “bridges,” where divisions exist. By placing the Taste as a Cultural Bridge session in a media- and tech-focused forum, the BRIDGE Summit signalled that food creators now play a key role in cultural diplomacy and global economic soft power.
Supporting Rising Ghanaian Creators and the Food Ecosystem
Chef Abby’s achievement is a testament to two things: talent and the explosive potential of Ghana’s creative and culinary ecosystem. Furthermore, this movement isn’t just about cooking; rather, it reclaims narrative, exports culture, and builds economic opportunity. Nevertheless, despite her global accolades, Chef Abbys stays deeply rooted in her community.
She notably organizes humanitarian work like “The Big Street Feast,” successfully mobilizing efforts to feed thousands on the streets of Accra.
The media has a powerful role to play in amplifying these rising stars. Ghana’s food ecosystem, rich with history and innovation, deserves robust attention that goes beyond fleeting social media mentions. Consistent media coverage for creators like Abena Amoakoa Sintim-Aboagye is crucial.
It ensures the momentum gained at global events like the BRIDGE Summit translates into tangible support and investment. This increases worldwide appreciation for the depth and soul of African cuisine. This video provides an excellent visual representation of the community impact that Chef Abbys achieves through her culinary platform.
Ghanaian CHEF ABBYS Made History As She Fed Over 15,000 People In A Day Across The City Of Accra!
Chef Abby’s success underscores the critical role of creators in cultural diplomacy. How can we better support rising culinary stars in Ghana and across Africa? Join the conversation in the comments below.
