**Interview with Jess and Jo Edun of The Flygerians: A Journey Through Nigerian Cuisine**

**Interviewer:** Can you share the story behind the name “The Flygerians”?

**Jess and Jo:** Definitely! “The Flygerians” is more than just a title for us. It symbolizes a community of innovative, ambitious Nigerians who are breaking boundaries. We’re passionate about showcasing our rich Nigerian food culture, blending traditional recipes handed down through generations with modern street food influences.

**Interviewer:** One of your signature dishes is the Lekki express shawarma. What inspired it?

**Jess and Jo:** The Lekki express shawarma draws inspiration from our experiences in Lekki, where we developed a love for Middle Eastern cuisine. We aimed to honor the traditional shawarma while infusing it with a distinct Flygerian twist. Incorporating frankfurters, which are common in Nigerian meals, adds a unique touch. It pairs best with twice-cooked cassava chips or French fries.

**Interviewer:** Can you guide us through how to prepare this shawarma?

**Jess and Jo:** Absolutely! Start by marinating boneless chicken thighs or lamb in our special shawarma marinade, which consists of mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and spices. Let it marinate in the fridge for about an hour. After that, roast the meat at 200°C or in an air fryer until cooked through. If you’re adding frankfurters, follow the package instructions for cooking them.

Once everything is ready, spread chili oil, garlic mayo, and your favorite burger sauce on a warmed tortilla. Layer it with the meat, fresh veggies, and frankfurter, if you choose. Roll it up tightly in foil, and it’s ready to serve!

**Interviewer:** You’ve also added a unique twist to spaghetti with your jollof spaghetti. How did that idea come about?

**Jess and Jo:** When we were kids, we often asked our mom for spaghetti bolognese, but she would make it with a jollof twist instead of sticking to traditional Italian flavors. What began as a lighthearted family joke turned into a beloved dish in our homes, bringing back warm memories of family dinners with our siblings.

**Interviewer:** What’s the process for whipping up your jollof spaghetti?

**Jess and Jo:** First, cook the spaghetti in salted water. While that’s cooking, blend tomatoes, red peppers, onions, and scotch bonnet in a food processor until smooth. Sauté some chopped onions, garlic, and ginger in oil, then add your blended mixture and spices, simmering for a few minutes.

Finally, combine the drained spaghetti with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is fully coated, and serve it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

**Interviewer:** It all sounds amazing! Where can our readers find your cookbook?

**Jess and Jo:** You can find our recipes in *The Flygerians Cookbook,* published by Ryland Peters & Small. It’s available for purchase, and we’re thrilled to share our passion for Nigerian cuisine with everyone!