Igboland is an important cultural region in Southeastern Nigeria and the indigenous homeland of the Igbo tribe one of the country’s largest ethnic groups. Agricultural abundance thrives due to its association with respect, spiritual realms, and ceremonial unity. Igbo customs often maintain identity and communal values through food. Of particular importance is the kola nut, a chewy fruit grown in Nigeria’s tropical rainforest used as an offering to ancestors and deities in rituals. Wild cassava yam represents wealth, prosperity and masculinity. These slightly sweet vegetables have long been attributed to the high rate of twins within Igboland. Adaeze and Lenny introduce these ingredients, as well as traditional Nigerian dishes such as the rich, savory, somewhat spicy street food favorite, “Ewa ati Aga Agonyin” known to decipher one’s character.
Adaeze Nwanonyiri was born in Texas, the daughter of Nigerian parents. Her love of African foods was developed early under the guidance of relatives. As a young adult she studied interior decorating and soon was working with local restaurants to match their food and concepts with her aesthetic vision. After moving to Los Angeles where she met Lenny, the two combined their business, baking, and decorating skills.
Lenny Rosenberg is from New York where he took over his family’s bakery/cafe rebranding business and then moved to Southern California in 2000. Lenny met Adaeze and before long they bought and rebranded such notable California bakeries and cafes as Nosh of Beverly Hills, 17th Street Café, Marmalade Café & Bakery in Santa Monica, Junior’s Bakery in Westwood, Bea’s Bakery in Los Angeles, and the newest acquisition, New York Bagel Deli and Bakery in Santa Monica.
Adaeze and Lenny are celebrating October's Nigerian Independence Day and their new cookbook It’s a Sweet World: Recipes from Around the Globe at Bea’s Bakery. The duo can be seen on Jewish Life Television (JLTV) in “It's A Sweet World” a show focusing on the husband and wife team helping nonprofits and multicultural organizations successfully execute events.
