Our Story

Welcome to PanAfrica! 🌍✨

From Brooklyn Stove to Diaper Duty—Real Talk, Real Flavors 👋🏾🍳

Hey there, foodie-besties—I’m Shante’. Born and raised in the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia, for the uninitiated 😉), seasoned in Brooklyn’s fire escapes and global kitchens, and now navigating life’s newest recipe: motherhood.

My love for food started young—watching my grandma fry chicken to golden perfection, making steak & cheese sandwiches for my family, and reverse-engineering takeout dishes until my tiny apartment kitchen smelled like a Michelin-starred mashup. PanAfrica! began in 2019 as my way to dig into my roots, but it’s grown into something bigger: a community for anyone who believes good food doesn’t need pretense, shortcuts, or a chef’s hat.

Fast-forward to today: I’m back in the DMV (for now!), juggling feedings with my baby sous-chef, and keeping the kitchen fires burning.

Here’s what you’ll always get from me:
🔥 No-BS recipes—think crispy fried chicken better than your favorite spot’s, Afro-Caribbean pantry staples, and zero processed junk.
🌶️ Real talk—about burnt plantains, cultural food debates, and surviving dinner prep with a baby strapped to your chest.
💬 A seat at our table—where your kitchen wins (and “oops, I forgot the baking soda” moments) are celebrated.

PanAfrica! isn’t just a blog—it’s my love letter to the tradition of home cooks in the African diaspora & foodies everywhere . Let’s swap stories, spice blends, and survival tips. I’ll bring the recipes; you bring the curiosity.

P.S. Yes, we’ll absolutely travel for good food. No shame in our game. 🛎️✨

—Shante’