The Anlo community and the nation at large are mourning the loss of a cultural titan following the passing of Madam Barbara Amesika Baeta on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the age of 86.
Revered as the “Queen of Ghanaian Cuisine,” the founder of Flair Catering Services spent over fifty years elevating traditional Ghanaian dishes to the global stage. Her extraordinary career saw her catering for an elite roster of world leaders and royalty, including Emperor Haile Selassie, Prince Charles, and former U.S.
President Barack Obama.
Locally, she became the gold standard for hospitality, serving every Ghanaian Head of State and establishing her Tito Avenue headquarters as a premier destination for high-society events.
Beyond her prowess in the kitchen, Madam Baeta was a formidable educator and author who shaped the future of the hospitality industry. Her literary contributions, most notably the award-winning “The Ghana Cook Book,” earned her international acclaim, including the 2016 Gourmand Cookbook Award.
Through the Flair training school, she mentored hundreds of professionals, with her alumni including distinguished figures such as First Lady Lordina Mahama. Her dedication ensured that the art of Ghanaian cooking was not only preserved but also professionalized, providing a rigorous foundation for many successful chefs working both locally and abroad.
Her life was defined by a pioneering spirit and a resilience that saw her through some of Ghana’s most turbulent historical moments. She famously narrowly escaped the 1966 coup d’état when a family friend in the military delayed an order to seize the state broadcaster just long enough for her to drive to safety.
From her early days teaching domestic science at Aburi Girls to her solo success catering for 500 people at the 1967 Expo in Montreal, Madam Baeta remained a trailblazer. Her passing is described by many as the falling of a great tree, marking the end of an era for a woman who combined technical excellence with a unique “flair” that fed the nation and its most honored guests.
May her Soul Rest In Perfect Peace.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
