The Ghanaian-American chef helps raise awareness and support for Safe Water Network.
Safe Water Network, the global water NGO co-founded by Paul Newman and John Whitehead, hosted a virtual event on Friday, June 4, to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts to continue providing safe, reliable water in Ghana and India.
During the interactive dinner experience, Chef Eric Adjepong, Bravo’s Top Chef finalist and Top Chef All Stars contestant, cooked side-by-side with attendees live from his kitchen. A first generation Ghanaian-American born and raised in New York City, he drew from the flavors and influences of the West African dishes he grew up eating and shared about the inspiration behind each of his specialty dishes.
When Safe Water Network reached out to him about joining the event, it was an easy choice.
“As a chef, cooking with water is extremely important. They pretty much go hand in hand. And as a Ghanaian-American who’s actually seen the challenges of disenfranchised communities in Ghana, seeing an organization like Safe Water Network providing safe water there since 2008 is pretty awesome.”
For the main course, Chef Eric taught the class how to make a coconut rice and shrimp curry, as well as a vegetarian coconut chickpea curry, classic dishes in his household. As the all-star chef chopped each vegetable, telling a story with every cut, many attendees followed along, making their own curry at home.
It was Chef Eric’s storytelling, along with his descriptive and well organized demonstration that made it easy for participants to follow.
All proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting Safe Water Network’s urgent COVID-19 relief efforts around the world. Safe Water Network’s field teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe water, essential for public health, continues flowing 24/7 in underserved communities in India and Ghana during this crisis and beyond.