‘Dinner with Chef Cola’…Zimbabwean vegan chef reimagines fine dining

AWARD-WINNING culinary expert, Nicola Kagoro, a Zimbabwean-inspired innovator, dreamer, and magical vegan chef, is revolutionising the gastronomic scene with her unique plant-based creations.

Shattering vegan stereotypes and promoting the rich heritage of African cuisine, Kagoro, popularly known as Chef Cola, is on a mission to inspire people to embrace veganism and adopt sustainable eating practices.

Through her various ventures, she aims to seamlessly integrate plant-based eating into people’s lifestyles and raise awareness about the environmental impact of food choices.

She told Saturday Leisure how exposure to diverse cultures shaped her culinary journey.

“I was born in Harare but grew up in New York City, and Cape Town, which are both metropolitan cities. They both have cultures from all over the world. My time in both cities taught me that my traditional foods are just the tip of the iceberg and there are many flavours to be explored and by my 16th birthday, I already knew that I was going to be a professional chef,” she said.

Chef Cola’s brainchild, “African Vegan on a Budget,” isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement. The multidimensional initiative promotes vegan culture and makes plant-based eating accessible to everyone. From hosting 100 percent vegan events and a DStv television show to empowering Zimbabwean communities through greenhouse farming projects, “African Vegan on a Budget” cultivates a self-sufficient and sustainable vegan lifestyle.

Chef Cola’s commitment doesn’t stop at food. Venturing into property development, she’s created a unique vegan concept space, further extending the reach of her message. Additionally, her line of custom-made African-inspired chef jackets, manufactured in Zimbabwe, serves a dual purpose. They not only celebrate local African prints but also elevate the continent’s vibrant culinary traditions by breaking away from the standard white uniform.

Her most impactful partnership is arguably with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation’s “Akashinga” initiative.

“The Akashinga are the world’s armed vegan female rangers. I worked with this amazing team for a period of four years developing their kitchen set-up, training eight chefs and project-managing their kitchen and garden.

“They have a pioneering vegan conservation programme front, consisting entirely of female rangers.

Akashinga is a scalable community-driven conservation model empowering disadvantaged women to restore and manage a network of wilderness areas as an alternative to trophy hunting.

“By incorporating veganism into this community-driven conservation model, it is my wish to contribute to building strong, respected ambassadors for the plant-based movement in rural Africa,” she said.

This isn’t your average fine dining experience. Chef Cola’s signature event, “Dinner with Chef Cola,” is a transformative six-course vegan extravaganza. It’s a platform to not only savour innovative plant-based cuisine but also to foster a community passionate about veganism and sustainability.

Held several times a year, these inclusive dinners attract a diverse audience, transcending social and economic barriers. Each meticulously crafted menu becomes a conversation starter, sparking discussions around environmental responsibility and conscious consumption. Excitingly, “Dinner with Chef Cola” is embarking on a global adventure, taking its message of plant-powered goodness beyond borders.

“We have already started hosting dinners in Cape Town and plan on expanding to Dubai soon. We also have a special relationship with Kenya and will be hosting dinners there soon too. Since these dinners are hosted periodically, I take time to host ‘FoodXArt’ a monthly culinary event that combines food and art in Harare,” shared Chef Cola.

Chef Cola shatters the myth that veganism is expensive. Her focus on budget-friendly ingredients and empowering people to grow their own produce makes delicious plant-based meals accessible to all.

Her mission transcends affordability. She’s a champion for showcasing the vibrant flavours of African cuisine, simultaneously advocating for sustainability and plant-based eating. This approach has cemented her status as a culinary trailblazer. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu