NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Pierre Thiam is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author, and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Senegal, he is known for his innovative cooking style, at once modern and eclectic yet rooted in the rich culinary traditions of West Africa. He is the chef and owner of the critically acclaimed, Harlem-based restaurant Teranga, which serves fast-casual West African fare directly sourced from farmers in the region, and the co-founder of Yolélé, a purpose-driven food business that makes African ingredients available to U.S. home cooks and restaurants, while connecting smallholder farms in West Africa with the global food economy. Pierre is the author of three cookbooks, including his latest, The Fonio Cookbook, released in October 2019. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his cooking and advocacy and he is on the board of directors for two global nonprofits, IDEO.org and SOS Sahel.