CCTV9英语新闻：纽约市举办的非洲餐厅周（在线收听）

Americans looking to get a taste of Africa can put their passports away. This week, New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture.

Fill up a plate, and feel the rhythm: It's African restaurant week in New York City.

New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture.

"We're celebrating African cuisine, culture and fun," Yolanda Sangweni from Essence Magazine said.

This is the kick off event for a week long food fest that shines the spotlight on the city's best Pan-African eateries, and gives foodies a chance to discover cuisine from another continent - in their own backyard.

"There's a lot of different cuisines in New York, but I don't think African cuisine is something people know a lot about. We have such different palette all over the continent," Sangweni said.

From veggie samosas to South African biltong, chefs across the city are serving up a variety of traditional dishes at a discounted rate. It's equal parts cuisine and culture.

New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture.

"It's a place to come not only to dine, but you know to relate to each other, exert ideas, eat the food and then be friends," a diner said.

Ponty Bistro is one of the restaurants featured during African Restaurant Week. Here, Chef Chekh is serving up a taste of his homeland - with love.

 "This customer has to love what I make for them because I do it for love, you know what I mean," Chekh said.

Chekh came to the States from Senegal, to chase the American Dream. He found it here, but says each dish he serves is a celebration of the country he still calls home.

"This is the second time we do Africa Restaurant week. We are representing Africa here, let people know the seasoning, the flavor, and ambiance, and be happy and smile!"

New York City is hosting a week-long celebration of African cuisine and culture.