The Dapartment of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hawassa University, in collaboration with the Public Diplomacy unit of US embassy in Addis Ababa, organized Tex-Ethiopian Fusion Barbecue demonstration by Patrick Hicks and Fasicka Hicks, founders and co-owners of Smoke’N Ash BBQ located outside Dallas, USA, on May 22, 2026.
Dr. Tafesse Matewos, Vice President for Research & Collaboration at HU, welcomed the U.S. Embassy delegation led by Adrienne B. Nutzman, Counselor for Public Diplomacy, and noted that the event would contribute significantly to strengthening cultural exchange and promoting collaboration in culinary diplomacy between Ethiopia and the United States.
Patrick and Fasicka Hicks shared their inspiring journey from operating a food truck to gaining international recognition in the United States. The duo, who were semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2025 and 2026, also conducted a live cooking demonstration for students of Hotel and Tourism Management at HU.
The demonstration at the main campus, HU, highlighted a unique fusion of traditional Texas barbecue techniques with Ethiopian spices and flavors, offering students valuable exposure to cross-cultural culinary innovation.
Mr. Dagnachew Wegayehu, Head of the Department, emphasized the importance of the event in blending culinary traditions from different cultures. He explained that integrating Ethiopian and Texan recipes encourages creativity and innovation in the culinary arts by combining diverse flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques from around the world. According to Dagnachew, the fusion of culinary traditions not only enriches the food industry, but also brings people together through shared tastes and experiences.
