Ghanaian culinary creator and African food storyteller Chef Abbys has officially begun her West African Food Tour, arriving in Togo as the first country on the itinerary. The popular chef shared the news on her social media platforms on Thursday, posting photos of her arrival and a warm cultural welcome that quickly drew widespread attention.

In her announcement, Chef Abbys expressed excitement about the milestone, declaring Togo the starting point of a journey that will take her across several West African nations. The tour is expected to include Nigeria, Senegal, Cape Verde, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, allowing her to explore and document the diverse flavours, ingredients and food traditions of the sub-region.

Images from the arrival show the chef holding the Togolese flag, receiving flowers and interacting with traditional performers dressed in cultural attire who greeted her with drums and music outside what appears to be an airport VIP area.

Members of her team were also present, wearing branded T-shirts promoting the “Chef Abbys Food Tour Togo.” The scenes captured a festive and welcoming atmosphere that underscored the cultural significance of the visit.

Chef Abbys, whose full name is Abena Amoakoa Sintim-Aboagye, has built a substantial following by celebrating African cuisine through authentic storytelling, recipes and immersive experiences. Born in Kumasi, she studied Construction Technology and Management at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology before fully pursuing her passion for food content creation.

She is widely recognised as a chef, social media influencer and philanthropist who uses food as a tool for cultural connection and social impact.

Her previous nationwide culinary tour across Ghana earlier this year proved highly successful. Over roughly three to four weeks she travelled through multiple regions, documenting local dishes, markets and traditions while hosting cooking demonstrations.

The Ghana tour generated tens of millions of views across platforms and boosted engagement with Ghanaian food culture both locally and internationally. That experience laid the groundwork for the broader West African expansion.

Beyond content creation, Chef Abbys has founded the Chefabbys School of Food (CASOF) and organised initiatives such as the Big Street Feast, which aims to address food insecurity under a Zero Hunger advocacy banner. She has also earned international recognition, including a place on TIME’s list of influential creators, awards in the digital food space, and high-profile engagements that have taken her from Ghanaian kitchens to global stages.

The West African Food Tour represents a natural progression of her work. By starting in Togo, a neighbouring country with rich culinary traditions that share historical and cultural links with Ghana, she is positioning the project as both a celebration of regional diversity and a platform for cross-border cultural exchange.

Fans and followers have already begun expressing enthusiasm for the content expected to emerge from the trip, including explorations of Togolese specialties, street food, markets and the stories of local cooks.

Public Reaction

Social media responses to the arrival post reflected pride in seeing a Ghanaian creator expand her platform across the region. Many congratulated her on the launch of the tour and highlighted the importance of showcasing African food beyond national borders. The branded merchandise and coordinated team presence suggest a well-organised effort designed to produce high-quality visual storytelling for her audience.

Togo’s selection as the opening destination carries symbolic weight. The country offers a blend of coastal and inland culinary influences, with dishes that feature local ingredients such as maize, cassava, plantains, fish and distinctive spice blends. Chef Abbys is known for immersing herself in everyday food culture rather than remaining confined to formal restaurant settings, so audiences can anticipate market visits, home-style cooking sessions and interactions with community cooks.

The tour also aligns with growing global interest in African cuisine. As more creators and chefs highlight the continent’s diverse food systems, projects like this help challenge limited perceptions and promote authentic narratives. Chef Abbys has previously described her mission as preserving culinary heritage, inspiring the next generation and proving that every ingredient carries a story worth sharing.

As she settles into Togo, the coming days are expected to yield the first wave of content from the West African Food Tour. Viewers who followed her Ghana journey will likely find familiar energy and curiosity applied to new landscapes and flavours. For those discovering her work through this announcement, the arrival marks an invitation to join a larger conversation about African food culture.

With Togo now officially on the map of her tour, Chef Abbys continues her trajectory as one of the leading voices elevating African culinary storytelling on digital platforms. The combination of personal passion, cultural advocacy and professional production values has already taken her far.

This latest chapter across West Africa promises to expand that impact further, one dish and one story at a time.