The Origins of Gumbo

In this episode, the DETOURS team is joined by Founder/Creator of Exit Strategy Jody Ray to discuss his experience traveling to Benin, West Africa and making gumbo's predecessor, West African okra stew, which he wrote about for our July 2023 Cuisine Issue. In the conversation he walks us through what it was like purchasing ingredients for the stew in Dantokpa Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa, with the help of his guide Jean-Paul Houndagnon and Jean-Paul's mother Augustine. We also discuss what it was like being invited into Augustine's home to learn how the dish is made, and the many differences and similarities between gumbo and okra stew.