Shreveport, Louisiana, boasts a unique culinary scene with a growing presence of African and Caribbean flavors. Among the notable establishments bringing these tastes to the community are RNL Cookery Corner and Niema's Cookery Corner.
RNL Cookery Corner: A Fusion of Flavors
Niema Longstratt opened RNL Cookery Corner in November of 2020 with a goal to bring healthy, authentic African Caribbean fusion to Shreveport.
Longstratt was born in Sierra Leone in West Africa where the only culinary training she had was helping her mother in the kitchen.
Her home wasn't equipped with around the clock electricity, so storing ingredients and leftovers in a refrigerator wasn't an option. This minor setback is what blossomed a life-long love of using fresh ingredients and gave her the practice of cooking every day out of necessity.
“I think I'm made for this; I'm made for this field," says Longstratt. "I'm passionate about it and I think is where God wants me and what I should do with my life."
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When Longstratt moved here eight years ago, she began with $300 and fabrics she had brought with her from Africa. That $300 went towards buying equipment needed to make clothes.
When clients would book an appointment with her for a fitting or design session, Longstratt would cook for them to build a friendship whether they bought something or not. “The essence of me starting with clothing first was because I wanted every customer that came to me, I wanted to encourage them to get to know me. I'm not from here, I want a community behind me, I want a family behind me.”
Her new-found friends would come and try her new experimental dishes and encouraged her to open up a restaurant. Especially her friend Ashley who took every idea and recipe Longstratt had and put them all in a book for her.
The food truck gives her the ability to travel around and continue to meet new people, but a brick-and-mortar restaurant is something she hasn't counted out yet.
In addition to "Big Blue" a new food truck specializing in healthy soups, salads and sandwiches is on the horizon.
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TRADITIONAL FOODS OF SIERRA LEONE | #sierraleone
The main goal of having multiple food trucks and a potential storefront, is to give those coming out of jail a chance to better themselves. Longstratt believes everyone is deserving of a second chance and plans to teach those who are willing to learn how to turn their life around and help them figure things out without the failures she's gone through.
“I want to cook to keep people alive and to keep that smile on their face. Cooking for me is not about the money, it’s about the passion.”
RNL boasts a healthy options of favorites like Krio wings and cheesesteak while encouraging you to eat outside of your comfort zone with goat bites seasoned in an African dry rub and jumbo shrimp topped with Krio sauce.
Niema’s Cookery Corner: Expanding the Culinary Horizon
Local business owner and 2019 Louisiana Food Prize: Battle of the Golden Fork finalist, Niematulai DiGrazia, has announced the opening of Shreveport-Bossier’s only west African and Caribbean restaurant, Niema’s Cookery Corner.
The new restaurant is located at 5751 Youree Drive, inside Sunshine Health Market.
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This new venture is an expansion of her current brand, RNL’s Cookery Corner, a local food truck favorite, known for its traditional Sierra Leonean dining experiences.
In fact, the name of the restaurant pays homage to DiGrazia’s favorite style of Sierra Leonean cuisine: street food from the Cookery Corner.
The menu will feature traditional dishes with DiGrazia’s special touch, including Krio Wings, Freetown Red Snapper, Lumley Shrimp, Kankankan-Steak bites, and Guinea Avocado Tapalapa Toast.
“Owning a restaurant has been a dream since I moved to the United States from Sierra Leone,” shared DiGrazia. “That dream has now become a reality and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share west African and Caribbean cuisine with the Shreveport-Bossier community.”
DiGrazia will move her food truck to the Sunshine Health Market parking lot starting Wednesday, April 19th in anticipation of the opening.
Featured Dishes
Here's a glimpse of some of the mouth-watering dishes you can expect to find:
- Krio Wings: A flavorful and popular choice.
- Freetown Red Snapper: Traditional dish with DiGrazia’s personal touch.
- Lumley Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp topped with Krio sauce.
- Kankankan-Steak bites: Goat bites seasoned in an African dry rub.
- Guinea Avocado Tapalapa Toast: A unique and flavorful toast.
