Shakhil Shah spent much of his childhood growing up in The Gambia, an experience that shaped both his outlook on life and his enduring love of food.
Surrounded by the country’s coastline, markets and abundance of fresh fish and seafood, some of his strongest childhood memories are of catching fish, cooking it and sharing meals with family and friends. For Shakhil, Gambian food has always been about much more than ingredients: it is tied to friendship, community, hospitality and the pleasure of gathering around a table.
The Gambia left a lasting impression on him. The friendships he formed there have remained an important part of his life, as have the flavours and dishes he grew up with. His writing is, in part, a way of preserving those memories and sharing the food culture of a country that continues to mean a great deal to him.
Today, Shakhil lives in Poland, but his connection to The Gambia, The UK and India remains strong. Through his work with Saharan Press, he hopes to introduce more readers to the recipes, traditions and everyday food experiences that were such an important part of his childhood.
He is the author of The Gambian Cookbook, a collection inspired by the food he remembers, the people he shared it with, and a simple belief that good food has an extraordinary ability to bring people together.
Books by this author
