Ghanaian Food storyteller and cultural advocate Bibiana Gyasi, popularly known as Cheflifestyle, has officially launched her debut children’s book, “The Night the Kitchen Came Alive.” 

Speaking at the launch, Bibiana explained the reason for the book and underscored the need for more Ghanaian content for children. 

“There’s a huge gap in local content for children in Ghana- books, gadgets, games, apps and tools. So much of what children consume today is foreign: stories, food, heroes, values, etc., and this needs to change. 

How can we teach children about our food, culture and heritage if we do not have the resources and tools? How do we preserve our culture if we do not document it for future generations? A lot of children grow up with little or no knowledge of their cultural identity.

We need to shape how children see themselves and their place in the world by telling our own stories. “The Night The Kitchen Came Alive” highlights Ghana’s food culture through learning that is both culturally relevant and engaging. 

“The Night The Kitchen Came Alive” tells the story of a young Ghanaian boy who discovers his grandma’s kitchen transformed into a lively world of traditional cooking tools and beloved local dishes. 

Blending cultural education with imagination, the story serves as an ode to Ghanaian food culture and a call to preserve it. It invites children to ask questions, to value indigenous knowledge, and to see the kitchen not just as a place to cook, but as a classroom where history, science, creativity, and culture come alive.

The book promotes gender inclusion and challenges long-held traditional gender roles and stereotypes around cooking. 

It also reinforces a simple but important truth: cooking is a life skill that every child, boy or girl, needs to learn. 

It also marks a significant chapter in Gyasi’s career as a storyteller. Known for highlighting Ghanaian cuisine as a digital creator, she now brings that narrative to children’s literature, highlighting Ghana’s food culture. 

Gyasi also described the project as a vital contribution toward Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. She highlighted the key role the book plays at the intersection of culture and literacy, adding that it will contribute immensely to conversations around identity, education, and youth development. 

Gyasi has outlined an ambitious post-launch roadmap that includes school tours, community reading activations, and cultural engagement events across the country. The aim is not only to sell books, but to place them directly into the hands of children in classrooms and community libraries.

Central to this impact strategy is the newly introduced “Gift A Story” initiative. Through this model, parents, corporate organisations, and individuals can purchase copies that will be donated to underserved schools and vulnerable communities. The initiative seeks to democratise access to culturally relevant literature and ensure that cost is not a barrier. 

The long-term ambition includes collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to explore curriculum alignment and institutional adoption, as well as translating the book into multiple Ghanaian languages to expand accessibility nationwide.

Gyasi has also set an audacious goal to have 1,000 copies reach children in 90 days. 

The book is now officially available for purchase. For more details, contact via email: Cheflifestylegh@gmail.com and on socials  @cheflifestyle