WHAT IS PLANTAIN, A FRUIT?
let's ask the kids of the diaspora...
38%
SAID A FRUIT
58%
SAID A VEGETABLE
4%
NEITHER, IT'S A GIFT FROM GOD
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAID
DID YOU KNOW....
We had the privilege of joining Kids of the Diaspora for the Inner Garden Party – London Edition hosted at the creative hub Downstairs at Mother in Shoreditch. This event was part of their Inner Garden Party series, which has already made stops in Vienna, Stockholm, Budapest, and Berlin before reaching its final destination — London.
The event, The Royal T Party, was more than just a gathering. It was a soulful exploration of identity, culture, and memory, guided by the powerful message to "Deconstruct the Concept of Minority."
As part of the celebration, we had the honour of sharing plantain-inspired canapés that told the story of migration and tradition across the Black diaspora. This wasn’t just food; it was an opportunity to share the flavours that define our cultural identities.
WHAT DID THE EXPERT HAD TO SAY...
Our curated menu reflected the flavours of Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond — bringing the richness of plantain to the forefront in these lovingly prepared canapés:
🍲 Red Red
Inspired by Ghanaian red red stew
Baked plantain, black-eyed beans, tomato, palm oil, red onion, paprika, cayenne pepper, African nutmeg, mixed spice, tomato paste.
🍘 Klaklo
Inspired by Ivorian street food
Yellow plantain, scotch bonnet (optional), ginger, rice flour, vegetable oil.
🍩 Puff Puff
Inspired by Nigerian snack culture
Yeast, ripe plantain, flour, water, cooking oil.
Each dish was a tangible connection to our roots, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Attendees expressed how these familiar yet creative takes on plantain filled them with warmth, nostalgia, and pride.
As the afternoon unfolded, we engaged with the event-goers to understand how plantain resonates with them. The feedback was overwhelming — it was clear that plantain wasn’t just food; it was a bridge to personal memories, family traditions, and cultural pride.
💬 “This plantain is different — it speaks to who I am. It’s not just food; it’s history and home.”
💬 “Every bite connects me to my roots, my parents, my childhood. Thank you for bringing this into our space.”
These conversations were part of an ongoing exploration by Kids of the Diaspora, a movement brand committed to spreading consciousness through fashion, music, art, and food. Their Inner Garden Party is a deeply immersive experience where participants embark on a poetic journey to discover their true selves — free from labels, isms, and external definitions.
The event was also graced by a range of carefully curated collaborators, such as Chef Ivy League, who led a traditional Ugandan Tea Ceremony, Sri-Lankan & French Pastry Chef Hugo Penel, Cherrelle Olukemi, a certified healing artist who guided the imagination journey, and Badgalmiri, who provided the harp music for the session.