Chef Abbys | Ghana | Keep Creating & Improving

African Culinary Storyteller | Award-Winning Chef

Zero Hunger Advocate | Philanthropist | Culinary Educator

Content Creator | Cultural Ambassador | Entrepreneur

Founder, Chefabbys School of Food | TIME100 Creator

Ghanaian Food Ambassador | Champion of African Cuisine

Chef Abbys, born Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye, is proof that sometimes the most extraordinary careers begin with something incredibly ordinary-a love for food. Born in Kumasi, Ghana, Abena grew up surrounded by the rich food traditions and culture of the Ashanti Region. From an early age, cooking became more than simply preparing a meal. It became a way of connecting with family, culture, and memories. One of the most meaningful moments from her journey has been sharing food and cooking experiences with her father, a reminder that behind every dish is often a story about family and heritage. But when Abena began her education, there was little indication that she would one day become one of Ghana's most recognizable culinary creators. She attended Wesley Girls' Senior High School, where she studied General Arts and graduated in 2017. She later entered Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she studied Construction Technology and Management. Her academic path and her eventual career may seem completely different, but that is part of what makes her story so inspiring. Abena was not following a perfectly mapped-out plan. Like many young people, she was discovering herself, developing her skills, and figuring out where her passions could take her.

Then came COVID-19.

While the pandemic forced much of the world indoors, Abena found herself with an opportunity to reconnect with something she had always enjoyed-cooking. Rather than simply allowing the uncertainty of the period to define her, she began experimenting in the kitchen and documenting what she was creating. She started sharing her cooking journey on Snapchat. There was no elaborate production studio. No large media team. No guarantee that anyone would pay attention. There was simply a young Ghanaian woman, her kitchen, her food, her phone, and a willingness to create. And that small beginning became the foundation of Chef Abbys. Her cooking content eventually expanded across social media, and audiences began responding not only to her recipes but to the personality, culture, and stories behind the food. She wasn't merely showing people how to prepare Ghanaian dishes-she was giving audiences around the world a glimpse into Ghanaian life and African culinary traditions. Food became her language. And the kitchen became her storytelling platform. As her audience grew, so did her vision. Chef Abbys began positioning herself not simply as a chef or food creator, but as an African culinary storyteller determined to elevate African cuisine as a cultural, educational, and economic force. Her growing influence opened doors far beyond Ghana.

In 2025, she served as the official culinary partner for King Charles III's birthday celebration at the British High Commissioner's residence in Accra. She was also invited to join the TikTok delegation to Cannes Lions, where she experienced a private dining engagement with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. She later hosted Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for a private dining experience during his visit to Ghana. Then came another extraordinary milestone. Chef Abbys was named among TIME100's Top Creators of 2025, placing her among a select group of creators recognized for their influence and impact. But for a young Ghanaian woman who began by sharing cooking videos online, perhaps the most meaningful part was not simply being recognized-it was what that recognition meant for the culture she represented. Ghanaian food was being seen. African culinary creativity was being celebrated. And Chef Abbys was helping take that story to audiences around the world. Then came the TikTok Awards. At the 2025 TikTok Awards, Chef Abbys made history by winning the TikTok Sub-Saharan Award and becoming First Runner-Up for Food Creator of the Year. But instead of seeing the moment simply as a personal victory, she used it to speak about the future of Ghanaian creators. Her message was bigger than herself: she wanted more Ghanaian creators to enter those rooms, take those stages, and bring home those awards. That is the difference between building a following and building a legacy. Chef Abbys wasn't simply asking, "How far can I go?" She was asking, "How many people can come with me?" And that philosophy has become central to the next chapter of her journey.

Chef Abbys founded Chefabbys School of Food (CASOF), a culinary institution created to train, mentor, and empower the next generation of African chefs. Through the school, she is helping young people develop professional culinary skills while preserving indigenous knowledge and African culinary traditions. Her vision is clear: Africa should not only be known for its food-it should be recognized for the people, knowledge, creativity, businesses, and economic opportunities that exist within its food industry. But Chef Abbys' journey doesn't end with education. For her, food is also about dignity. Through Project Zero Hunger and The Big Street Feast, she has used her platform and culinary skills to address food insecurity and support underserved communities. In October 2025, she launched the first edition of The Big Street Feast in Accra in recognition of World Food Day. The initiative provided three meals throughout the day to more than 20,000 people.

Twenty thousand people. That number tells a different story about influence. It is one thing to have millions of people watching you cook. It is another thing to use that influence to actually feed people. Chef Abbys has chosen the latter. Her work demonstrates that social media influence can be used for more than likes, views, and brand deals. It can be used to educate, create opportunities, preserve culture, bring communities together, and tackle real problems. Her journey has also taken her to international platforms, including the Bridge Summit in Dubai and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France, where she has represented African culinary culture and shared Ghana's food heritage with global audiences. Through partnerships, ambassadorial roles, and collaborations - including work connected with the Office of the President's Diaspora Affairs-she continues to advocate for greater global recognition of African culinary excellence. For today's young generation, Chef Abbys' story carries a powerful message. You don't always have to know exactly where you are going. You don't have to begin with millions of followers. You don't need a perfect plan. Sometimes you simply need to start. Start with the skill you have. Start with the phone you already own. Start with the passion that keeps calling you. And then keep learning. Keep creating. Keep improving. Most importantly, don't be afraid to turn your passion into purpose.

Chef Abbys studied Construction Technology and Management, but her passion eventually led her into a completely different world. She began by sharing cooking videos and has since grown into a chef, educator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, cultural advocate, and internationally recognized creator. Her journey from Kumasi to the global stage is not simply a story about food. It is a story about believing in yourself before the world knows your name. It is about turning culture into opportunity. It is about using influence to create impact. And it is about understanding that success becomes even more meaningful when you use it to open doors for others. Chef Abbys didn't just find a career in food. She found a way to make food matter. Today, she is feeding communities, training future chefs, preserving African culinary traditions, and introducing the world to the richness of Ghanaian cuisine-one story, one recipe, and one plate at a time.

Her journey is still being written. And perhaps the most exciting part is not what Chef Abbys has already accomplished. It is the generation of young African chefs, creators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers who may look at her journey and realize: “If she can start with a phone, a kitchen, and a dream-and take Ghanaian food to the world, maybe I can start too.”

Social Media & Professional Platforms

TikTok: @Chefabbys

YouTube: Chefabbys

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Chefabbys School of Food (CASOF): Culinary education and empowerment platform

Partnerships: chefabbys@myrunwaygroup.com