In a world where health and well-being take an increasingly central place, the quest for healthy food alternatives is intensifying. At the heart of this trend, Wɛ̀li is emerging as an innovative brand, offering 100% gluten-free Afro-healthy pastries, highlighting sweet potatoes, an emblematic ingredient of Beninese cuisine. At the head of this culinary adventure, Immaculée GOMEZ, passionate about nutrition, is committed to reinventing traditional sweets, while celebrating the riches of Beninese heritage.
If academically, the 31-year-old young woman holds a degree in Diplomacy and international relations, her sense of observation, her rather unbridled humor (you will notice it in her TikTok content) and her inventiveness have led her to other trails. In this interview, she shares her journey, Wɛ̀li’s vision and her ambitions for the future.
Afrik: Hello Immaculate. Could you tell us about the origin of Wɛ̀li and what inspired you to launch this brand of gluten-free pastries?
A: The idea for Wɛ̀li was born from a passion for healthy and sustainable food, but also from my own experience. I suffer from wheat hypersensitivity and obesity issues, which has made finding dietary alternatives difficult. If replacing wheat in savory recipes was relatively easy, it was more complex for sweet recipes. This pushed me to create my own recipes using local flours, especially sweet potato flour.
Having noted the growing demand for gluten-free products, particularly in Africa where this trend is starting to emerge, I decided to launch Wɛ̀li to offer a gourmet, healthy and accessible alternative. “Wɛ̀li” means “sweet potato” in the Beninese language, which sums up our local approach and our commitments well.
@weli.229 I’m trying this trend too, but the end… Take me as your little sister. Sweetness of Yahweh, the Afro snack differently! ♬ original sound – Wɛ̀li – African pastry
What are the particularities of your pastries and how do they stand out on the Beninese and international market?
Wɛ̀li offers 100% gluten-free pastries, making them accessible to people with intolerances or simply looking to adopt a healthier diet. I wanted to highlight a local ingredient that I love: sweet potatoes.
Sweet potato flour has a moderate glycemic index compared to other African flours, which is ideal for controlling weight gain while improving digestion thanks to the high fiber intake.
Sweet potato flour is also easy to work with in a wide range of sweet recipes. In addition to the health aspect, I ensure that my products remain delicious. I am convinced that eating well should not rhyme with deprivation.
@weli.229 It is with immense joy and deep pride that I present to you my new brand identity. We went from “Sweetness of Yahweh” to “Wɛ̀li”. “Wɛ̀li” means “sweet potato” in the local language. The choice of this name aims to highlight our flagship ingredient in our pastries, sweet potato flour. This name aims to highlight the authenticity of the brand, the African tradition of which it aims to be the standard bearer and to show the place of local products in our pastry offering. I am counting on you to hold Wɛ̀li high as much as you did for Douceur de Yahweh. Sweet potato flour pastry African flour pastry Afro-healthy pastry New African pastry #Patisserie #Glutenfree #alimentationsaine #foodtok #benintiktok #CapCut ♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer
What role does African culture play in Wɛ̀li’s identity?
African culture, and more specifically Beninese, is at the heart of Wɛ̀li. I draw inspiration from classic pastry recipes that I reinvent with superfoods like moringa, tiger nut or baobab, but also spices like cardamom, nutmeg or cinnamon.
However, it has not been easy to introduce sweet potato into the realm of modern baking, although it is widely consumed in West Africa in the form of fries, mash or boiled. My challenge was to show that it can also be a delicious and versatile ingredient in desserts.
What are your ambitions for Wɛ̀li in the years to come?
I want to expand my current offering and make my pastries accessible to a wider clientele, not only in Benin, but also internationally. The goal is to become a reference in healthy Afro-gluten-free pastries, and to inspire other entrepreneurs to promote local ingredients in modern creations.
@weli.229 Douceur de Yahweh is a brand of gluten-free snacks and pastries which mainly uses sweet potato flour, in combination with other local flours from Benin such as rice, cassava or tigernut flour. The objective is to combine business with pleasure by helping those who cannot tolerate wheat or who want to eat less wheat to find healthy, but very tasty pastries and snacks that have nothing to envy of pastries. made from wheat. #patisserie #cotonou229 #benintiktok #glutenfreetiktok #glutenfreerecipes #recettefacile #patisseriecotonou #ConsommerLocal ♬ original sound – Roseline Layo official
Finally, what message would you like to convey to people who are still hesitant to adopt a gluten-free diet?
I would say that eating gluten-free does not mean giving up indulgence. On the contrary, it is the opportunity to discover new flavors and take care of your body. At Wɛ̀li, we want to show that eating well can rhyme with pleasure, and that alternatives like sweet potato flour offer real nutritional benefits. So, dare to taste and embrace change!
Wèli, under the direction of Immaculée GOMEZ, promises to revolutionize the world of pastry in Africa and beyond with healthy, delicious products rooted in local culinary heritage. An adventure to follow closely for all lovers of gluten-free pleasures.
@weli.229 Sweetness of Yahweh, the Afro snack differently! ☎️00229 51 92 81 87 Sweet potato flour pastry Homemade to order Delivery throughout Cotonou ️Order possible from Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. #tiktokbeninois #benintiktok #tiktokbenin #MadeInBenin #pastry #Pâtisserie #GlutenFree #pourtoi #tiktokcotedivoire22 5 @CEO immature @EDEN FOOD @Le Couple Cotonou ♬ The contract – Dadju & Tayc
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