Nestlé Professional is dedicated to empowering food vendors and fostering economic growth in Nigeria. Recently, they organized the Business of Food workshop in Ilorin, where over 300 participants, including food vendors, chefs, canteen and restaurant operators, and culinary school students, received training on enhancing their food businesses.
During the workshop, various aspects of the food industry were covered, such as culinary techniques, menu planning, customer engagement, and good hygiene practices. Seasoned professionals shared their expertise and best practices, providing valuable insights to the attendees.
Mrs. Funmi Osineye, the head of Nestlé Professional business in Nigeria, expressed the company’s vision of supporting economic growth in local communities. The objective was to equip food vendors with the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive and sustain their businesses. The workshop was designed not only to provide practical skills but also to create a supportive environment for networking, idea exchange, and building valuable connections within the industry. Nestlé Professional believes that with the training received, the food vendors, chefs, canteen and restaurant operators, and culinary school students will excel in the business of food.
One of the highlights of the workshop was a live cooking master class conducted by popular OAP (On-Air Personality), Olushola Folake Mutiat, who demonstrated the fundamentals of preparing Wanke, a well-known West African dish made with a combination of rice and beans, using Maggi Chicken and Maggi Star seasoning. The event also featured a cooking competition between two teams, “Chicken” and “Star,” as they competed to create the best jollof rice dish.
Mrs. Olayinka Atoyebi, the president of the Association of Caterers and Restaurant Owners in Ilorin, expressed gratitude to Nestlé Professional for the initiative, which provided association members with the opportunity to learn new skills for improving their businesses and livelihoods. Several catering schools, including IVTEC, Ajase-Ipo, Imi-Ini Venture, and Best Apple Treat, were present at the workshop. The students from these culinary schools were thankful to Nestlé Professional for the chance to meet and learn from accomplished industry practitioners.
Mrs. Osineye reassured participants that Nestlé Professional remains committed to supporting the growth and success of food vendors in Nigeria. Their aim is to uplift the local food industry, promote entrepreneurship, and make a positive impact in communities.
