The Art of Food: A Conversation with Zambian Food Stylist, Black Garlic

Ah, food - one of the most universally enjoyed things in the world. Whether it's a quick snack or a full-course meal, food has the power to bring people together and make memories that last a lifetime. And when it comes to food styling and the unique flavors of Zambian cuisine, there's even more to explore. Few people know this better than Zambian food stylist Clara Kapelembe Bwali, better known as Black Garlic.

Through her creative use of accessible ingredients, Black Garlic has elevated Zambian cuisine to new heights and created visually stunning dishes that look as good as they taste. In this interview, we take a closer look at the world of food styling, learn about Black Garlic's creative process, and explore how she incorporates Zambian ingredients and flavors into her dishes.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started with food blogging?

My name is Clara Kapelembe Bwali, and I am a mom and wife.

My journey with food blogging started like a joke — it was totally unplanned. As a new wife, I found myself trying out new recipes and that made me start a food page on Facebook. The business later took a catering turn and evolved into a full-time blog in 2020.

What inspired you to start your food blog, and what do you hope to achieve through it?

The feedback from friends, family, and customers that would taste my food made me believe that others would make use of some of my recipes. Zambian food tops the list of my favorite cuisine to prepare as I’ve grown up eating and cooking it. 

I hope to share my recipes with a wider audience and showcase Zambian food internationally. I am also excited to explore various cuisines through travel and food interactions with different foodies.

How do you come up with your recipe ideas, and what's your process for testing and refining them?

Many things inspire my recipe ideas. Sometimes, I have a meal from my favorite restaurant and that gets me thinking about how best I can recreate the dish. I am also inspired by my other food bloggers on the internet and even childhood dishes that I hope to improve and make more flavourful.

Once I have an idea of a dish I want to try, I write it down and list all the ingredients needed. I also plan the story that I want this dish to tell as well as how I will style it. I then try it at least two or three times before publishing the recipe.

What's your approach to food styling and photography, and how do you ensure that your images look visually appealing, especially when it comes to presenting traditional dishes?

My approach is realistic food styling with everyday food. Fine dining is great but relates to a small population. It is important to me that traditional dishes are presented in a way that brings back memories and reminds my audience of home-cooked meals and meals they eat often. As a result, I take great care when photographing and presenting both traditional and non-traditional dishes. To ensure this, I take my pictures under the same conditions at a specific time of day and in great light conditions.

How do you engage with your readers and build a community around Zambian cuisine?

Through interactive posts and a storyline. I try my best to have an interaction point in the post so that if my audience agrees/disagrees we can fuel conversation in the comments.

I also incorporate their feedback and that makes them feel heard. I carefully read and consider comments, especially when someone suggests modifications such as making a vegetarian version of a recipe. In such cases, I strive to create a delicious vegetarian recipe that meets their needs.

How do you balance your blogging work with your personal life and other commitments?

I make sure I work smart by creating content weeks in advance. That way, if life happens, my blog can still go on as I deal with what needs to be dealt with.

Having a realistic approach is also one way I find balance. I understand that I can’t do everything and have to be brave enough to turn down some offers, especially if they do not align with my vision or my abilities.

How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue creating content for social media?

Money 😂😂😂😂

On a serious note though, the love of food and the feedback when my audience tries my recipes is unmatched. It is inspiring that my content evokes such a reaction.

What are some valuable lessons you've learned as a food blogger in Zambia, and how has it impacted your career?

The food blogger scene is fairly new in Zambia. I had to learn very early that it meant a lot of hard work and proving myself in order to get certain jobs. This, although difficult, motivates me to put out quality work. Moreover, many people don’t acknowledge that food blogging can be a full-time career. It takes time, effort, and a lot of patience but the result is a fulfilling career if you ask me.

I have also had to deal with negative comments. I have learned that instead of focusing on negative criticism, I should prioritize positive feedback and constructive criticism to improve. However, in cases of hateful or inappropriate comments, I believe it's important to set boundaries and protect my mental health by blocking and deleting them

How do you collaborate with brands and other bloggers, and what do you look for in a partnership?

Brand collaborations can happen in two ways: either I reach out to brands with a proposal, or they approach me with a campaign idea. Collaborating with other bloggers has been nothing short of an amazing experience, especially my ongoing collaboration since 2020 with William and Lulu from The Wood Kitchen. When considering a partnership, I look for brands that offer products I enjoy or will enjoy working with. I also prioritize good work ethics and a genuine love for food in any potential collaborators.

Can you share with us a recipe that's particularly special to you, and why it's meaningful, as well as a challenging dish you have created?

Certainly! My chocolate cake recipe is particularly special to me because I took a lot of time to perfect it. Every time someone takes a bite and compliments it, it brings a smile to my face. It's just such a great feeling to know that I can bring joy to someone through my cooking.

As for a challenging dish, I would say anything that involves donuts or bread. Achieving the perfect texture and flavor can be quite complex, and it often takes a few attempts to get it just right. But the feeling of finally nailing the recipe after multiple tries is incredibly satisfying.

How do you balance your personal taste preferences with the needs and interests of your audience when creating recipes?

It’s impossible to cater to everyone’s taste therefore I try my best to cook as authentic to my taste and my family's taste buds. I hope that my recipes inspire people to experiment and adapt them to their liking and their taste.

One thing I also try to do is to ensure that my recipes use easy-to-find ingredients and that they are easy to follow.

What's your advice for aspiring cooks and recipe developers who want to have a career in the food industry?

My advice for aspiring cooks and recipe developers who want to have a career in the food industry is to cook from the heart and trust the process. Cooking is an emotional process, and putting your heart and soul into it can make your dishes stand out and make people feel love. This is a philosophy that influences all my recipes.

While staying true to your style is important, keeping up with food trends can bring new challenges and keep you up to date with the ever-evolving foodie scene. If a trend interests you, try it out, but don't feel pressured to follow every new craze. Ultimately, it's about creating delicious, meaningful dishes that speak to you and to your audience.

As we wrap up our chat with the fabulous food blogger behind Black Garlic, we're left feeling inspired and hungry for more! From her passion for cooking to her dedication to using fresh, local ingredients, it's clear that she knows her way around the kitchen.

If you're looking for delicious recipes and mouth-watering food pics, be sure to check out Black Garlic's blog and Instagram page. Trust us, your eyes and taste buds will thank you!

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