IDA CHAM, the smiling face of Gambia, proprietor of Yabouy speaks to Modou Jobe

WHO IS IDA CHAM-NJIE?

Ida Cham is a Gambian born in Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia, 44 years ago. I started my early primary school development at Campama and later to Serrekunda school before going to Nusrat High School.

What’s your experience in hospitality management?

It all started two decades ago, when I went to West London College for a programme in Tourism Hotel and Catering Management. That proved to be the perfect choice for me. My first appointment when I returned was at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, The Gambia’s biggest hotel. At Senegambia, I was exposed to how all the units within the hotel operate. I spent a considerable number of years in the food and beverage department, working as a purchasing manager and F & B coordinator. I was one time the head of Guest Relations and Conferencing as well as head of sales and marketing. I was fortunate to attend many trade fairs around Europe that really helped to boost the arrival of tourists from major European destinations. For many years my portrait was used to show case the smiles of The Gambia to the outside world. Also I was interviewed by many international journalists on Gambia’s tourism development, classical examples being Canada’s Travel Courier Magazine, as well as The Gambia Tourism Authority’s international brochure. I also worked as the General Manageress of Makasutu Culture Forest, the world’s newest ecotourism site. I also had a managerial stint at Omakan.

Why do you call your home cooking centre Yabouy?

Yabouy in Wolof means mother. I named my new home cooking centre after my mother, simply because of the great role she played in bringing me up. She is responsible for where I am today. My mother was a really hardworking woman, whom I treasured a lot. She was exclusively dedicated to the development of her children, and changed our life. She contributed greatly to who we are today. That’s why I deemed it very necessary to name the centre after her. I pray that her soul rest in perfect peace.

What do you do at this home cooking centre?

I train visitors how to cook Gambian food. They also take part in cultural exchanges This is possible because they interact directly with Gambians in the community market. From the market we board a coach to the centre, where we immediately begin the cooking process. This is unique product. All tourists spending time at the centre dress in real African styles, eating the way we do when we have our lunch here in The Gambia. At the end they refresh themselves with our highly rated local juices, which we have in abundance.

What final message do you have for readers?

I am calling on all tourist stakeholders to positively contribute towards the advancement of tourism in The Gambia. Lets be innovative with new concepts that will attract more tourist from around the world. We have to bear in mind that tourists always want to see and taste what they don’t have in their countries. Any tourists interested in learning how to cook can always contact the centre on

(220) 4410282, (220) 9904990 or visit its web site www.gambiahomecooking.com.

Culled from THE TOURIST... Gambian Tourism Authority Quarterly News Letter