FOR traditional tastes and sounds of Africa, the Exotiful stall at the Taste of Tasmania is one to try. A newcomer to the Taste, the stall, No. 32, was a hit from the opening minutes of the food and beverage festival.

Taste-goers were quick to seize on the goat meat and seafood dishes cooked in traditional West African ways. They were also drawn in by the huge, colourful banner overhead, the stall workers’ black and red outfits and upbeat African music.

The stall is the brainchild of Habiba Shahadu, from Ghana, and Frederic Saint-Cast, from France. They are newcomers to Tasmania and thought it was important Africa be represented at the Taste.

Frederic said while the flavours might be exotic, the ingredients were local. Seafood, goat meat and chicken were chosen to cover a range of tastes.

The two goat dishes are traditional meals in Ghana and South Africa. The smoked fish is cooked in a way found all over West Africa and the calamari dish is a delicacy of Senegal.

While they don’t have a restaurant, Frederic said it was a “dream” to one day run one in Hobart.

Source: The Mecury