Chef Pierre Thiam

Title: Contributing Writer

Location: San Francisco, California

Expertise: West African cuisine, fonio
- Author of The Fonio Cookbook: An Ancient Grain Rediscovered
- On the board of directors for two global nonprofits, IDEO.org and SOS Sahel

Experience

Pierre Thiam is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Senegal, Pierre is known for his innovative cooking style, which is both modern and eclectic, and rooted in the rich culinary traditions of West Africa. He is the chef and owner of Teranga, a Harlem-based restaurant that serves fast-casual West African fare made with ingredients sourced from West African farmers. He is also the co-founder of Yolélé, a purpose-driven food business that makes African ingredients available to home cooks and restaurants in the United States, and connects smallholder farms in West Africa with the global food economy. Pierre is the author of three cookbooks and he has won numerous awards for his cooking and advocacy.