Meet Louisa Moje, Our Newest Food Writer in Residence

Louisa Moje, the creator behind Food Plus Words and La Passion Voûtée, is Flipboard's Food Writer in Residence for spring 2024. Her passion for cooking is influenced by her Nigerian roots and travels around the world, and you can see this in the flavorful dishes she serves up. Her fashion blog started as a creative outlet when she was in pharmacy school.

"As a twin and the last of 10 children, it was only natural that fashion was part of my life," she says, explaining the genesis of her colorful, stand-out style.

You can learn more about Louisa's journey to becoming a food and fashion writer in the interview below.

And if you're interested in learning more about our residency program, we invite experts to share their expertise with the Flipboard community via curation on their own account as well as within an Exchange Group Magazine. You'll find Louisa in The Recipe Exchange, where over 150 culinary experts and serious home chefs share their tastiest tips, as well as in The Style Exchange, a smaller group of fashion and beauty lovers. If you are a creator interested in any of our creator opportunities, please find details and an application here.

Wheredoes your passion for food come from?

It was sparked early in my childhood, nurtured by the rich soil of my Nigerian heritage and a kitchen that was the heartbeat of our home.

From the age of seven or eight, I was already perched on a stool, eager to flip plantains to golden perfection. This early foray into the culinary world was more than just a chore - it was a labor of love and curiosity.

I also nurtured a yam and tomato garden in our backyard, tending to it daily after school. The joy of seeing my plants grow and eventually using them in my cooking instilled a profound sense of fulfillment and connection to the earth.

Even more meaningful was the opportunity to cook for my siblings when they were ill, offering pancakes as comfort food to soothe their recovery from malaria.

These formative experiences deepened my appreciation for food as a source of nourishment and healing, linking me forever to the flavors and stories of my youth.

What are your favorite cuisines, and why?

African and Thai cuisines hold a special place in my heart because they offer bold and complex flavors that are invigorating and deeply satisfying.

With its rich stews and vibrant spices, African cuisine represents a piece of my heritage that I love to share and celebrate. Thai food complements this with its symphony of tastes - spicy, sour, sweet, and salty - all balanced harmoniously in each dish.

Both cuisines use spices not just to flavor the food but to transform it, creating memorable and exciting dishes.

What's your favorite city for a culinary adventure?

France, particularly Normandy and Paris, is my favorite culinary destination. Having studied there for two summers, I was captivated by the culinary finesse that the French embody.

The city's bustling markets, quaint bistros, and lavish eateries present endless gastronomic delights.

My fluency in French enhances my culinary explorations. It allows me to delve deeper into the local food culture and traditions, continuously inspiring elements of my own cooking and blogging.

What's your favorite foodie event or festival?

While I didn't grow up attending traditional foodie events or festivals, my fondest culinary experiences come from Nigeria's vibrant street food culture, particularly from vendors known affectionately as "Mama Put."

These local street vendors create a lively atmosphere where dishes like bole with groundnut, puff puff, suya, roasted corn, and Ewa Agonyin aren't just food, they celebrate flavor and community.

These experiences have deeply influenced my appreciation for genuine, hearty food. So, if there's an event with good food, count me in - I'll have the perfect outfit ready for the occasion!

Who are the voices that you turn to for recipe inspiration?

I find inspiration in a myriad of voices, from my family, who have passed down treasured recipes, to friends who share their culinary experiments. (I see you, Odelia, thanks for the perfect meat pie crust. Even my mom makes a special request for these.)

I also turn to fellow food bloggers like Low Carb Africa , xoxobella, and My Diaspora Kitchen for unique ideas and techniques.

Additionally, platforms like Flipboard, particularly The Recipe Exchange, are invaluable. They allow me to discover and learn from diverse culinary experts and enthusiasts, ensuring my cooking remains fresh and exciting.

What's your go-to, absolute favorite cookbook?

Growing up, I learned to cook in the traditional Nigerian way, where recipes were not found in books but were taught through observation and repetition.

My family's culinary wisdom was passed down with a "dash of this and a sprinkle of that," never using exact measurements, just a keen eye and taste for perfection.

This approach was both a challenge and a charm when I began documenting recipes for my food blog, especially when I had to articulate the process for dishes like Nigerian Fanta Chapman during my college days.

While I haven't relied heavily on cookbooks, there are a couple that I am eager to explore and have added to my wishlist: "The Taste of Country Cooking" by Edna Lewis for its celebration of seasonal and local eating, and "The Ultimate Nigerian Cookbook" by Chy Anegbu, which resonates with my cultural heritage and love for Nigerian cuisine.

These books are part of the collection I am curating for my Flipboard Cookbook Storyboard - and who knows, perhaps I'll be adding my cookbook to the mix soon!

What are the five things you couldn't go without in your kitchen?

1. African Spatula (Turning Garri): This tool is vital for making traditional "swallows" such as fufu, integral to numerous African dishes. Its unique design helps in efficiently mixing starchy components to achieve the perfect texture.
   
2. Instant Pot: This modern appliance is a game-changer for cooking tougher cuts like goat meat, transforming them into tender, flavorful meals quickly and effortlessly.
   
3. Air Fryer: Ideal for preparing healthier versions of fried favorites, the Air Fryer uses minimal oil without sacrificing the crispy texture that makes dishes like fried plantains so delightful.
   
4. Blender: A robust blender is indispensable in my kitchen, especially for creating the base of dishes like chicken stew and jollof rice. It ensures smooth, well-integrated sauces that are foundational to both Nigerian and broader African cuisines.
   
5. Knife: A chef's knife is crucial for efficient, precise preparation of ingredients. Whether chopping vegetables, slicing meats, or finely dicing herbs, a good knife is essential for handling the diverse ingredients involved in my recipes.

I've added all of these and more to this Storyboard.

What are some tips you have for other foodies who want to make the most out of Flipboard?

Engaging actively with the community is key for those looking to enhance their Flipboard experience.

Even with a modest follower count, my engagement in the community has led to noticeable growth and probably contributed to my landing this position. You just never know!

Here are a few more strategies:

• Share your content and interesting finds from others, focusing on relevance to maintain a quality feed.

• Utilize Flipboard's features, like creating personal and Group Magazines. These organize your interests and boost visibility and engagement. Joining or creating Group Magazines, like The Recipe Exchange, can significantly expand your reach.

• Lastly, don't shy away from interacting through comments and using the Notes feature to spark conversations - these interactions can enrich your presence and connect you with like-minded users.

Tell us about your own curation approach and what we can expect to see on your profile.

My curation strategy on Flipboard mirrors my eclectic interests and background. Starting with familiar territories like African recipes and popular dishes, I gradually expanded to cover a broader range of interests, including drinks, breakfast options, and desserts.

My profile reflects my diverse interests, a vibrant mix of personal passions ranging from food to travel and beyond. By curating content that resonates with me personally or catches my eye, I keep my magazines fresh and engaging.

I use the For You home feed and The Daily Edition to stay current on trends and topics, ensuring my followers receive a curated experience that's not only personal but also expansive and engaging.

Don't forget to follow Louisa Moje on Flipboard for recipes, cooking tips, travel recommendations, and her latest obsessions in style.

- Jessica Jordan, community and marketing, is curating A Sweet Tooth's Diary

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