Zambian Food Magazine

Enjoy and share food

Nilina Hope publishes Zambian Food Magazine — a celebration of one of Africa's most distinctive and underrepresented culinary traditions. From the art of preparing the perfect nshima to the quiet resilience of sorghum and millet, the magazine documents what Zambians have always known: food here is identity, history, and belonging all at once.

Every article is a window into Zambian life. Whether it's exploring why "nshima — everything else is a snack", debating the merits of microwave cooking in the modern Zambian home, or making the playful case for nshima on the national flag, the magazine brings together writers who are passionate about where their food comes from and what it means. Recipes, cultural commentary, nutrition, and growing practices — all of it lives here, shared freely and proudly.

Because when food is documented, culture is preserved. When recipes are shared, communities are strengthened. Zambian Food Magazine exists to make sure that the flavours, stories, and wisdom of Zambian cuisine are never lost — and are enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, with an appetite to learn.

"Ubwali, ebwateka Zambia." — Nshima is what unites Zambia. (Bemba Proverb)

Zambian Food

Community Engagement

Since 2015, Zambian Food has been a gathering place for people who love Zambian cuisine and believe that food is one of the most powerful ways to build community. What started as a Facebook page grew into a movement — hosting Big Breakfast events in cities across Zambia, from Lusaka and Kitwe to Mongu, Chipata, Kasama, and beyond — providing meals to hundreds of children and bringing neighbourhoods together around a shared table.

That spirit of giving is what eventually gave rise to Nilina Hope. Zambian Food remains our community home — a place to celebrate traditional recipes, discover wild and seasonal ingredients, promote food sustainability, and keep Zambian food culture alive and growing.

We invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/zambianfood — share your recipes, food ideas, and tips on growing food sustainably.

The Big Breakfast

The Beginning

Every movement has a moment — a spark before the fire. For Nilina Hope, that spark was the Zambian Food Big Breakfast Challenge. It began quietly: a domain name, zambianfood.com, registered in May 2010, followed by a Facebook page — facebook.com/zambianfood — launched in July of the same year. Neither felt like the start of something big. But they were.

On July 30th, 2015, a single post changed everything. "There are over 3,000 of us who like Zambian Food. How about we team up and do something for others? All ideas are welcome. We can set a few things to guide us, but right now, I'm thinking Food!" The response was immediate. People were ready. They had been waiting for exactly this kind of invitation.

Looking at the numbers, it was hard to ignore: the Zambian Food page had quietly grown to become the most liked page I managed on Facebook — and those 3,000+ people weren't just followers, they were a community. What started as a passion for food became the foundation for something far greater: Nilina Hope, formally registered in Zambia in November 2016. The domain nilinahope.com had actually been registered back in April 2011 — years before the organisation existed. In hindsight, it feels less like coincidence and more like the pieces were always meant to come together.

The name itself carries meaning that only deepened over time. Nilina, in Nyanja, means "I have" — so Nilina Hope reads simply: I have hope. It was my brother Kenneth who later pointed me to another layer of meaning: "Your name of Nilina intensifies qualities within you of independence, positivity, and restlessness. It gives you the desire to be a leader, to pioneer new undertakings, and to try new ideas in practical, creative occupations." — kabalarians.com. Whether by design or by destiny, the name had always been waiting for its purpose.

- George Mutale