Food Craft

Kia Kouyate

I was born in Ann Arbor but grew up in Nederland, Colorado, a small mountain town where I learned outdoor survival skills and formed a strong bond with nature. I loved exploring with friends, learning about science, and doing arts and crafts.

Cooking was also a big part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of baking salmon at age five and teaching my first-grade class to roll sushi during our Japan unit. My mom always made sure we had healthy, home-cooked meals, which has inspired how I cook to this day.

When I was 14, I moved back to Michigan, where I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. That experience shaped me in profound ways, teaching me resilience and the importance of health. After nearly a decade of recovery, I’m now 23 and feel grateful to be healthy again.

Recently, I moved to a beautiful piece of land where I spend my days gardening, cooking, and creating. I grow my own vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs, and love using what I harvest to make nourishing meals for my family. I also find joy in activities like pottery and painting, and in simply appreciating the little things in life.