Ghana’s Chef Abby listed on TIME’s 100 Most Influential Creators in the world

Ghanaian culinary star Chef Abbys, real name, Abena Amoakoa Sintim-Aboagye, makes the cut as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential Creators globally for 2025.

This impressive recognition follows her recent showcase at TikTok's prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France, where she represented Ghana.

Chef Abbys joins an elite group of global influencers, including Kai Cenat, Khaby Lame, Taylor Cassidy, James Jones, Kellie Gerardi, Alix Earle, Sean Evans, and Olivia Dunne, among others.

With over 1.4 million followers on TikTok, Chef Abbys has become a sensation, captivating global audiences with her vibrant culinary content that showcases the rich flavours and traditions of Ghanaian and African cuisine. 

By creatively transforming everyday dishes like waakye, kenkey, jollof, and banku into visually stunning narratives, she has built a unique niche that not only delights the taste buds but also offers a deeper connection to African heritage. 

Her content seamlessly weaves together food, culture, and storytelling, making her a standout in the digital culinary space.

 “Every ingredient has meaning. Every method carries memory,” Sintim-Aboagye told TIME in an interview. “When you cook a country’s traditional food, you learn its values, its struggles, and its soul. It teaches you respect for the people and the heritage behind the dish.”

Chef Abby recently met TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew during her recent trip to the United States.

The aspiring record-setter, who traveled to the U.S. as part of a TikTok Africa initiative, described her meeting with Chew as both surprising and humbling. Speaking in a recent interview with GHOne TV, Chef Abby said the encounter felt surreal.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she shared. “To meet the CEO of such a global platform, someone you only see online, and have him be so welcoming—it meant a lot to me.”

Chef Abby’s cooking journey has captured the attention of many on social media, particularly her ambitious goal to set a Guinness World Record through a cook-a-thon. 

Her content has resonated strongly with audiences across Ghana and beyond, garnering recognition from TikTok and making her one of the platform’s standout creators.

As a self-described “African Food Tourist,” she shares recipes from across the continent, showcasing dishes such as babenda from Burkina Faso and amiwo from Benin, alongside Ghanaian staples.