Married to the Business - and Each Other

Shito sauce, a condiment commonly used across Ghana, is a savory flavor made from a seafood base, herbs, tomatoes, hot peppers, and caramelized onions. Perteet and Fred Spencer launched Ayo in 2020 to help celebrate West African flavors, and the brand also sells a pepper sauce and a variety of ready-to-eat meals if you want to add to your gift. 

A Chicago Bulls star is looking to share a taste of his heritage, and he's partnering with a Chicago company that happens to share his name.

A Chicago Bulls star is looking to share a taste of his heritage, and he's partnering with a Chicago company that happens to share his name.

AYO Foods, the Chicago-based producer and marketer of West African frozen food products and hot sauces, is bringing the flavors of Chef Zoe Adjonyoh to grocery stores in the United States through a new partnership announced on May 10.

As chef, writer, entrepreneur and founder of Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Adjonyoh has been pioneering modern West African food in global supper clubs, at her namesake restaurant, pop-ups, street food stalls and special events since 2010. The culinary artist’s acclaimed cookbook, republished and released in 2021, earned a spot on The New York Times Best Cookbooks of 2021 List.

Fans of Top Chef will undoubtedly be familiar with chef Eric Adjepong, a much-beloved contestant on seasons 16 and 17. As a Ghanaian-American, he was the show’s first contestant to truly highlight West African foods and flavors.

His passion for his cultural heritage was infectious, and so it comes as no surprise that he is partnering with AYO foods, a line of frozen, pre-made West African dishes like Jollof Rice and Puff Puff that launched last year and can be found in Whole Foods and Kroger stores.