Ghanaian culinary sensation Chef Abby, known in real life as Abena Amoakoa Sintim-Aboagye, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential Creators in the World for 2025.
This global recognition follows her standout appearance at TikTok’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France, where she proudly represented Ghana.
Chef Abby now stands alongside some of the world’s biggest digital influencers, including Kai Cenat, Khaby Lame, Taylor Cassidy, James Jones, Kellie Gerardi, Alix Earle, Sean Evans, and Olivia Dunne.
With a following of over 1.4 million on TikTok, Chef Abby has built a global fanbase by creatively presenting traditional Ghanaian and African dishes. Her vibrant storytelling breathes life into meals like waakye, kenkey, jollof, and banku, turning them into visually stunning experiences that honour cultural identity.
Blending food, heritage, and storytelling, Chef Abby has carved a distinct space in the digital culinary world.
“Every ingredient has meaning. Every method carries memory,” she told TIME. “Cooking a country’s traditional food teaches you its values, struggles, and soul.”
Her rise has also included a notable moment during a recent trip to the U.S., where she met TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew as part of a TikTok Africa initiative. Reflecting on the experience in an interview with GHOne TV, she shared:
“I couldn’t believe it. Meeting someone you only see online—and having him be so welcoming—meant a lot to me.”
Chef Abby’s journey continues to inspire, especially through her ambitious quest to set a Guinness World Record with a cook-a-thon. Her engaging, high-quality content has earned praise across social media and solidified her as one of TikTok’s standout creators from Africa.
Often describing herself as an “African Food Tourist,” she showcases culinary gems from across the continent. Alongside Ghanaian staples, her content features dishes like babenda from Burkina Faso and amiwo from Benin, highlighting Africa’s diverse food heritage.
Chef Abby’s rise is not just a personal milestone—it’s a celebration of African cuisine, identity, and the global power of food storytelling.