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The Big Street Feast with Chef Abbys: Celebrating World Food Day with love, food and community

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/19 .. world-food-day-with-love-food-and-community.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 16:38 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Chef Abbi’s “Big Street Feast” Celebrates World Food Day with Love, Food, and Community

On October 16, 2023, the bustling streets of Accra came alive with the aroma of simmering stews, sizzling suya, and the sweet scent of fried plantains. The occasion was far from ordinary: it was the “Big Street Feast,” a community‑centric event led by the celebrated Ghanaian chef and culinary entrepreneur, Chef Abbi. The festival coincided with World Food Day – a global reminder of the power of food to unite, heal, and sustain our societies – and was a showcase of how a single, passionate individual can turn an ordinary day into a powerful celebration of nourishment and belonging.

A Vision Rooted in Community

Chef Abbi, who has spent decades honing his craft in local kitchens, international restaurants, and culinary schools, sees food as more than sustenance. In an interview with GhanaWeb, he explained that the “Big Street Feast” was designed to embody the UN’s World Food Day theme of “Food is an engine for sustainable development.” “When we gather around a table, we’re not just eating – we’re connecting, sharing stories, and strengthening the bonds that keep our community resilient,” he told reporters.

The street feast was held in the vibrant Opa‑Street area of Accra, a neighborhood known for its diverse food stalls and lively music. By turning a public thoroughfare into an open‑air banquet, Chef Abbi aimed to break down social barriers and invite residents from all walks of life to enjoy a shared meal without cost.

The Menu: A Taste of Ghanaian Heritage

The event’s culinary offerings were as diverse as the people who attended. Chef Abbi’s team prepared a spread that featured:

• Jollof rice with aromatic tomato, onion, and paprika, served alongside spicy fried plantains.
• Banku – a fermented corn‑cassava dough – paired with silky okra stew.
• Pepper soup – a light, herbal broth that is a staple in Ghanaian households.
• Suya – skewered, spiced grilled meat that is always a crowd‑pleaser.
• Sweet pepper soup – a comforting, mildly spiced stew that warmed the hearts of attendees.

Each dish was made from locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing Chef Abbi’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s farmers and reducing food waste. In a statement released on his Instagram page (link provided in the GhanaWeb article), he highlighted that “every bite we served today was a reminder that local produce can feed entire communities without the carbon footprint of imported goods.”

The Heart of the Event: Love, Food, and Community

What set the “Big Street Feast” apart was the sense of generosity and camaraderie that permeated the day. Food was free, and guests were encouraged to take home extra portions if they wished. Several attendees shared that the event felt “like a family reunion” and that it provided a much‑needed sense of unity amid the economic challenges many Ghanaians face.

A key feature of the feast was the inclusion of cooking demonstrations and live music. Chef Abbi, accompanied by his sous‑chefs, showcased how to prepare a simple banku‑okro combo in under 20 minutes, while local musicians performed traditional highlife tunes that added rhythm to the celebration. According to the GhanaWeb piece, the event drew an estimated 500 participants, many of whom were families, young adults, and community volunteers who had not been able to dine out in weeks.

Partnerships and Future Plans

The “Big Street Feast” was part of a larger campaign Chef Abbi has been running in partnership with the Food For All Foundation, a local NGO dedicated to reducing hunger in the Greater Accra Region. The partnership was highlighted in a link embedded in the original article, which directs readers to the foundation’s website and a press release detailing the joint initiative.

Chef Abbi expressed enthusiasm about continuing the street‑feast concept in other neighborhoods throughout the year. “The model is simple: invite the community, share the food, and let the conversation flow,” he said. “We can replicate this in Kumasi, Tamale, and even the rural districts to spread the message that food can be a catalyst for change.”

Why World Food Day Matters

World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, is an opportunity to raise awareness about global food security, nutrition, and sustainability. By aligning his street feast with this worldwide observance, Chef Abbi highlighted the local significance of these global issues. He pointed out that Ghana, like many African nations, faces challenges such as food price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and climate‑related crop losses. Yet he emphasized that local solutions – such as community feasts, farmers’ markets, and culinary education – can provide tangible steps toward food security.

In closing, Chef Abbi reflected on the impact of the event: “Today, we shared more than food. We shared hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging. That is the true spirit of World Food Day – to nourish our bodies and our communities alike.”

Key Takeaways

1. Community‑First Approach – The “Big Street Feast” was free, open to all, and served as a platform for social cohesion.
2. Local Ingredients – The menu highlighted Ghanaian staples, underscoring the importance of supporting local agriculture.
3. Educational Component – Cooking demos taught simple techniques, empowering attendees with culinary skills.
4. Strategic Partnerships – Collaboration with the Food For All Foundation amplified the event’s reach and impact.
5. Global Connection – By tying the event to World Food Day, Chef Abbi amplified a local narrative within a worldwide conversation on food security.

The “Big Street Feast” stands as a testament to how one chef’s vision can transform a city street into a celebration of food, love, and community – a powerful reminder that, in the end, food is not just about filling plates, but about feeding the soul of a society.