African Restaurant Week kicked off in New York City this weekend.

Akin Akinsanya, the founder of African Restaurant Week, says the event is important for the cultural fabric of the city.

"African Restaurant Week is a celebration of African and the Black diaspora cuisine and culture,” Akinsanya says. “It's a time where people in New York City go to different restaurants, they get good deals, they find different restaurants, different establishments. It's an opportunity to support small business."

Lookman Afolayan says his Brooklyn eatery, called Buka, will be taking part in the event.

"We do everything authentically,” Afolayan says. “What I mean by that is whatever you have a taste of here is what you were going to have when you're able to go to Nigeria, or any of the other west African countries."

Organizers say African culture will be on display at a festival this weekend at Flatbush Junction.