Power Moms of the Food World

Aliya LeeKong has a passion for bringing global and socially conscious foods, spices and traditions into everyday cooking and eating. As a first generation American whose parents are Tanzanian and Indo-Pakistani immigrants, Aliya’s insight into cooking was through a lens that layered culture upon culture. This Brooklyn-based mom has travelled extensively, visiting more than 30 countries in the last ten years alone, an accomplishment she calls her ongoing culinary graduate school. She is the author of Exotic Table, which is a compilation of recipes inspired by her world travels and cultural heritage. Aliya is currently working on a travel/cooking television series and an app for kids. She enjoys taking her daughter out for “date night” to different restaurants, trying new foods, and their Sunday baking ritual.

Proudest Accomplishment: Aliya is extremely proud that she’s raising her daughter, a strong and self-assured girl of color, to be kind to others, thoughtful, and to be open to experiences. On a professional level, she’s proud of Exotic Table because she was able to put her vision into physical form – writing every word and taking all the photographs. And doing it all while pregnant.

photo courtesy of Aliya LeeKong