In this episode of “Eat Like a Local”, chef Chris Shepherd takes a deep dive into a cuisine he admittedly knows very little about – west African.
Chris enlists the help of chef/owner Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk to help educate him on this growing culinary movement in Houston. Chef Ope is on a mission to raise awareness in Houston and eventually the nation about his Nigerian heritage and cuisine, but also that of other African countries like Senegal, Ghana and Liberia.
ChòpnBlọk
MONTROSE: 507 Westheimer Rd. | Houston
POST HOUSTON DOWNTOWN: 401 Franklin St. | Houston
At ChòpnBlọk, he’s taken the iconic foods of these countries and turned them into approachable, understandable dishes like the Motherland – a mix of East African-style coconut curry with West African black-eyed peas and sweet plantains, and Polo Club Suya – marinated, spiced beef skewers that originated in Nigeria.
FAMOUS PRINCESS KITCHEN
17036 W Little York Rd. | Houston
After walking Chris through the menu at ChòpnBlọk, Ope takes Chris to the place he goes when he wants the authentic tastes of home, Famous Princess Kitchen. Here Chris learns about Nigerian soups, which by American standards are not soups at all, but thick, dippable stews.
Speaking of dipping, Chris gets an education on ‘swallow’, a Nigerian staple dish created from root vegetables.
After trying swallow for the first time, Chris wants to learn more. He connects with Kavachi Ukegbu, author of the Art of Fufu. Kavachi’s family owns Safari, one of the oldest Nigerian restaurants in Houston. Through her cookbook and cooking classes, she’s teaching Houstonians how to make one of the most common types of swallow, fufu.
With Kavachi as his guide, Chris heads to Amazing Grace African Supermart to shop for fufu ingredients before heading into the kitchen to learn how to make fufu.
“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.
Season 2 of “Eat Like a Local”
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 28: FARM TO TABLE: Where Houston restaurants get the most fresh and flavorful produce
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 29: Houston Texans fans! These are the best bites you’ll find at NRG Stadium
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 30: What to order at some of Houston’s best neighborhood restaurants
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 31: Bring on the cookies! ‘Eat Like a Local’ visits some of the best bakers in town
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 32: This cocktail laboratory has a secret entrance
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 33: THEN AND NOW: How one of Houston’s most popular fried chicken restaurants came to be
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 34: Indian food to celebrate during Diwali and all year round
- SEASON 2, EPISODE 35: Pho and more 🍜 These Houston area restaurants have mastered the art of making noodles