Meet William and Lulu Wood, a Zambian couple known for their work in reframing and promoting Zambian cuisine through a contemporary lens, primarily through their platform, The Wood Kitchen.

I went to The Wood Kitchen when I was visiting Lusaka this year and had a fabulous time chatting with the couple. This is a family endeavour that focuses on sharing easy, fusion recipes, cooking tips and celebrating Zambia's diverse and delicious foods. As you'll hear, Lulu and William are acutely conscious of the cost of food in today's Zambia - food inflation, although down from July's figure, was in August 2025 just under 15%. So affordability is an essential element of their recipes. They use digital media (like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) to showcase their work.

Speaking to William and Lulu, I soon discovered that their main goal is to promote under-explored cuisine by elevating and promoting traditional Zambian dishes, which they feel are often underrated on the global stage.

Fusion cooking: they blend traditional Zambian foods from the respective heritages (Tonga and Lozi) with techniques and flavours they've encountered on their travels creating a unique fusion style.

Food Influencers: they've gained a growing online following and have been recognised as SME change-makers by META for harnessing digital media. They have also represented Zambia internationally at food events.

Championing Local Ingredients: they emphasise using local, ethically-sourced ingredients. They grow many of their own ingredients like vegetable and herbs, a practice they recommend.

Cultural Preservation: they see food as a powerful tool for celebrating and preserving Zambian heritage, educating both younger generations and wider audiences about their culture through cooking.