About
Hi! I'm Kiano Moju, a Kenyan/Nigerian American cookbook author, recipe developer, producer, director, and video host, based in Los Angeles, California.
I come from two cultures: Kenyan Maasai on my mom's side, and Nigerian Itsekiri on my dad's. I was born in Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area and often spent my summer breaks on my grandparents' ranch in Kenya.
My culinary identity draws on my Kenyan and Nigerian heritage, my upbringing in California, and my travels around the globe.
I believe in using everyday global ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. No matter where you are, my recipes are designed to be accessible and bursting with flavor.
That's the kind of food I'm all about – a celebration of heritage and global inspiration, all on one plate.
My 2024 debut cookbook AfriCali: Recipes From My Jikoni is published with Simon & Schuster, bringing my love for cultural fusion to life on the page.
I also whip up delicious AfriCali recipes and talk about all things food on Instagram, so follow along and come hungry!
In 2019, I launched the non-profit organization, Jikoni Recipe Archive. Its mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of African and Black cuisines, by documenting the legacy of traditional and modern cooks while amplifying their vibrant food cultures.
I also run my own production company, Jikoni Studios, in Los Angeles. Since opening, we've produced cooking videos for the Food Network, Tastemade, and the USDA, to name a few.
Up until 2019, I was a creative video producer at BuzzFeed’s food video vertical, Tasty, where I amassed over 100 million cumulative video views in recipe content. Check out my work here!
Contact me for press & business inquiries here
When I'm not busy designing recipes, I'm an African food advocate dedicated to amplifying the rich heritage of African and Black cuisines through my non-profit,
Jikoni Studios
You can also work with me at Jikoni Studios to whip up a delicious cooking show! From Director to Culinary Producer, Video Producer, or Food Consultant, I can help bring your food content ideas to life.
BsC in Communications and Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University
MA in Publishing from the University of the Arts London
Judge for James Beard Foundation Awards 22' - 24'
Jane Walker X IFundWomen First Women Grant Program Recipient
BeyGOOD Foundation Grant Recipient
100+ million cumulative video views across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Produced projects for VOGUE, Tastemade, Food Network, and more