About Mommy Van

Hello and welcome! I’m so happy you’re here.

My name is Vanessa Oprah, but many people know me as Mommy Van. I am a Cameroonian home chef, food content creator and mom based in Canada.

Through Mommy Van’s Kitchen, I teach people how to prepare authentic Cameroonian, African and intercontinental meals from scratch using simple, clear and beginner-friendly instructions.

My mission is to help you cook confidently, whether you are preparing an African dish for the first time, learning how to cook from scratch or simply looking for a delicious meal to share with your family.

Mommy Van

About Mommy Van’s Kitchen

Mommy Van’s Kitchen is a place for people who love good food and want practical guidance they can follow in a real home kitchen.

Here you will find traditional Cameroonian dishes, recipes from across Africa, intercontinental meals, family dinners, snacks, baked treats and helpful cooking tutorials.

I understand that some African recipes can initially appear complicated. The ingredients may be unfamiliar, the cooking methods may be different or the available instructions may assume that you already know what to do.

That is why I explain my recipes carefully. I want you to understand not only what to do, but also why each important step matters.

My Cameroonian Roots and Life in Canada

My Cameroonian roots have shaped the way I understand food, family and hospitality. Cameroonian cuisine is wonderfully diverse, with deeply seasoned soups, stews, vegetables, grilled foods, rice dishes, plantains, cassava, yams and many regional specialities.

Living in Canada has also helped me understand the challenges of cooking African food abroad. Sometimes the exact traditional ingredient is unavailable, expensive or difficult to identify in a new supermarket.

Whenever appropriate, I share practical substitutions and explain how they may affect the flavour or texture of the finished dish. My goal is to make African cooking more accessible while respecting the origins and character of each recipe.

Food, Family and Everyday Cooking

As a mom, I understand that home cooking must work in real life. Families need meals that are delicious, practical and suitable for different tastes.

The recipes I share are not only for celebrations or special occasions. You will also find realistic family meals, meal-preparation ideas and recipes that can become part of your regular cooking routine.

Some dishes are rich and traditional. Others are quick, flexible and designed for busy days. When a recipe contains a lot of heat, I explain how it can be adjusted for children or anyone who prefers milder food.

For me, food is about more than filling a plate. It is a way to care for people, preserve culture, create memories and bring families together.

Why I Share My Recipes

I share my recipes because I want more people to experience the richness of Cameroonian and African food.

I also want beginners to know that they can learn to cook delicious meals without feeling intimidated. You do not need professional equipment or years of experience. You need reliable instructions, patience and the confidence to begin.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone prepare a dish they once believed was too difficult. Every message, photograph and comment from someone who successfully follows one of my recipes encourages me to continue teaching.

What You Will Find Here

On Mommy Van’s Kitchen, you can explore:

Whether you are reconnecting with the food you grew up eating or discovering African cuisine for the first time, you are welcome here.

My Cooking-Marathon Journey

I am also preparing for one of the biggest challenges of my cooking journey: a cooking-marathon attempt.

This journey is about more than pursuing a record. It is an opportunity to celebrate Cameroonian and African cuisine, share our rich food culture with a global audience and encourage mothers, home cooks and aspiring chefs to believe in what they can achieve.

The preparation requires courage, discipline, community and significant support. I am grateful to everyone who follows the journey, volunteers, contributes or shares the campaign with others.

mommy van kitchen

Visit the Record Attempt page to learn more about the journey and the available ways to support it.

My Promise to You

When you visit Mommy Van’s Kitchen, you can expect:

  • Clear and approachable instructions
  • Recipes written with beginners in mind
  • Respect for the cultural origins of each dish
  • Practical ingredient guidance
  • Honest substitution advice
  • Helpful photographs and cooking videos
  • Family-friendly options when possible
  • Food prepared with care and passion

My goal is to give you the guidance you need to enter your kitchen and cook with confidence.

Behind Mommy Van’s Kitchen

Mommy Van’s Kitchen is led by me, Vanessa. I develop and prepare recipes, create cooking videos, teach my audience and share the stories behind the food.

Producing a recipe involves much more than cooking. It includes planning, sourcing ingredients, filming, photographing, writing instructions, editing and responding to questions from the community.

As the platform grows, I look forward to collaborating with more people who share the vision of making Cameroonian and African food accessible to cooks around the world.

Start Cooking With Me

Ready to enter the kitchen?

Explore the Recipes page to discover Cameroonian dishes, African favourites, family meals and intercontinental recipes.

You can also visit the Cooking Classes page to find available opportunities to cook with me through guided virtual classes.

Let’s Connect

I would love to stay connected with you.

Follow Mommy Van’s Kitchen on:

For enquiries, collaborations or general questions, email:

info@mommyvanskitchen.com

Thank you for visiting Mommy Van’s Kitchen and becoming part of this growing community.

Let’s cook, learn and celebrate African food together!