CITIZENS COMPASS – LEADING beverage company, Nestlé Professional has empowered over 300 peopeesons made up of food vendors, chefs, canteen and restaurant operators as well as culinary school students.
They were also trained on how to improve on their food businesses.
Nestle said the empowerment was to foster economic growth among food vendors in Nigeria at the Business of Food workshop in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The training covered various aspects of the food industry, including culinary techniques, menu planning, customer engagement, and good hygiene practices.
Attendees were able to gain valuable insights from seasoned professionals who shared their expertise and best practices.
In her presentation, Mrs. Funmi Osineye, head of Nestlé Professional business in Nigeria said “This workshop is aligned with our vision to foster economic growth in local communities. Our aim is to equip local food vendors with the essential knowledge and skills to grow and sustain their businesses. “We believe that in addition to the practical skills, local entrepreneurs need a supportive environment where they can thrive. We therefore designed the workshop to
include networking opportunities where participants can exchange ideas, share their experiences, and build valuable connections within the industry. We are confident that the training today will equip the food vendors, chefs, canteen and
restaurants operators as well as the culinary school students to excel in the business of food, “
One of the highlights of the workshop was the live cooking master class by
popular On Air P – Olushola Folake Mutiat on the fundamentals of Wanke, a popular
West African dish made from a combination of rice and beans, using Maggi Chicken and Maggi Star seasoning.
There was also a cooking competition where the teams – ‘Chicken’ and ‘Star’ –
tried to outdo each other in their task to make the best jollof rice dish.
The president of the Association of Caterers and Restaurant Owners in Ilorin,
Mrs. Olayinka Atoyebi, thanked Nestlé Professional for the initiative and the
opportunity for the members of the association to learn new skills for improving their businesses and livelihoods.
Catering schools present at the workshop include IVTEC, Ajase-Ipo, Imi-Ini
Venture and Best Apple Treat. Students of the culinary schools expressed
gratitude to Nestlé Professional for the opportunity to meet and learn from
accomplished industry practitioners.
Mrs. Osineye assured participants that Nestlé Professional remains committed to
supporting the growth and success of food vendors in Nigeria. “We aim to uplift
the local food industry, promote entrepreneurship, and create a positive impact on communities,” she said.
