Adé is an award-winning chef, storyteller, and advocate whose work explores the intersections of West African cuisine, the American South, and Black foodways. Named 2023 North Carolina Chef of the Year, Adé uses food as a tool for storytelling, healing, and connection across the African diaspora. As the founder of iLéWA Foods, a spice company supporting women farmers in Benin and Ghana, Adé champions equity and sustainability while curating immersive dining experiences that celebrate cultural heritage. A finalist at the Basque Culinary Institute and an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Adé’s creative work has earned national recognition. Beyond the kitchen, Adé is a passionate advocate for adoptee, children’s, and women’s rights, blending culinary artistry with social impact to spark meaningful change.