The United Nations African Mothers Association (UNAMA) has held this annual fundraiser since the mid-1980s. Proceeds "support programs for women and children in Africa."
The variety of food, prepared offsite by wives of U.N. delegates and served buffet-style, is overwhelming. At my first UNAMA event I noted the names of 16 African nations along the serving line, though many labels were handwritten, some of them on the spur of the moment; it's very possible that the true count was higher. Likewise, the buffet's identification of dishes was not rock-solid, and though some were close cousins to items I've come across in the five boroughs, others were less familiar. A working knowledge of culinary French and Portuguese would have clarified a few ingredients. To be sure, most everyone spoke English, too. The atmosphere was low-key, and the company, consistently welcoming and gracious.
Shown above: Morogo, contributed by the permanent mission of Botswana, was presented in a chafing dish also labeled "creamed spinach"; its partner, seswaa, consisted of pounded, shredded beef. Below: a contribution to the dessert table, from Cape Verde, was identified simply as "sweet rice." For many more photos from multiple fundraisers, see my album.
UNAMA Fundraising Buffet Luncheon
Consulate General of Nigeria, 825 Second Ave. (at 44th St.), Manhattan
www.Facebook.com/events/350596172378982
(The 2018 luncheon was held on December 7)
