The primary-generation Ghanaian-American who competed on Bravo’s High Chef: Kentucky in season 16, amongst different exhibits, and at present hosts Meals Community’s Wild Card Kitchen institution, is bringing Africa to the nation’s capital in a daring approach. It’s not simply by way of the spices or tales on the plate however within the convivial environment.
Elmina, which implies gold mine and is the location of the previous transatlantic slave commerce in Ghana, offers a nod to the nation’s key exports, together with sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, timber and indigo, by way of its rooms. The Sugarcane Room serves as a sensory bridge between worlds, inviting guests to really feel what Ghanaians really feel, in accordance with Adjepong.
“Once I take into consideration Ghana, I take into consideration the climate and the heat … within the Sugarcane Room it feels very tropical, it particularly doesn’t have [air conditioning]. I needed it to really feel such as you sorta have been transported slightly bit,” he instructed the AmNews.
Adjepong stated the most effective time to be within the room is at “nighttime — when the solar goes down, you’ll be able to actually get a way of an Accra night time.”
Moreover company getting an genuine Ghanaian feeling whereas eating, with regards to his meals, his Jollof Duck Pot can be a style of his roots. “It’s a mix of two issues,” he stated. “It’s a really conventional dish in [the] sense that it’s jollof rice, as in like my grandmother would have made it, after which we’re including some up to date touches like duck. The duck is duck breast, duck leg, and duck egg. The duck legs have been brushed with tamarind glaze.”
Elmina has been passing muster since its opening in February 2025, with diners like Annette Koroma and her mates taking to the restaurant to have a good time her birthday and benefit from the Halal choices.
“The wonderful a part of this restaurant is the truth that they supply Halal choices for those who are Muslim, so it’s an important alternative for us to eat clear, in order that’s an important factor,” Koroma instructed the AmNews, including that she additionally got here to expertise the upscale Ghanaian recipes.
With Washington acknowledged not solely because the nation’s capital but in addition as a culinary heart, Adjepong stated vacationers touring from his dwelling state to D.C. ought to know that at Elmina, he’s telling a narrative that bridges his heritage together with his journey by way of kitchens and cultures.
“It’s a singular have a look at what Ghanaian meals could be from now, from 2025 and past,” he instructed the AmNews. “I grew up loving these flavors and the components and dishes, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss and specific how I’ve been influenced by the place I’ve labored, the place I’ve lived, and the individuals I’ve been round.”
Adjepong additionally stated the Meals Community is an enormous inspiration of his and all of his experiences soften into what he thinks about meals. “West African meals is without doubt one of the most scrumptious and the truth that I can do it on this kind, and on this lovely house with an incredible crew, I’m very blessed.”
Requested why is it necessary for somebody together with his background to be within the nation’s capital as a chef, Adjepong stated, “I’ll go away that up for the individuals to reply, that’s not for me to reply. I hope I make an influence, and I hope it’s a constructive one.”
“Like all sort of artwork, I can’t dictate what the general public goes to consider what I do. I can put my greatest foot ahead and that’s what I can management, [along with] ensuring the standard is there, the service and hospitality and energy behind the hospitality is there. Then I’ll let the general public resolve,” he added.
For more information, go to elminarestaurant.com.
