2023 International Chefs Day - Nestlé Professional inspires the next generation of chefs

 2023 International Chefs Day - Nestlé Professional inspires the next  generation of chefs 

Empowering tomorrow’s culinary stars 

Oluwatoyin Mathnuel

Commemorating the 2023 International Chef’s Day, 50 children from Nestlé for 

Healthier Kids (N4HK) beneficiary schools in Sagamu, Ogun State, had an

immersive cooking experience with Nestlé Professional. The Company believes 

that encouraging children to be creative with food motivates them to try out 

healthier food options.

Every year on International Chefs Day, 

Nestlé

Nigeria and 

the Association of Professional Chefs

Nigeria bring children together to participate in the creation of new recipes 

including fruits and vegetables. The immersive events allow the children bring 

their personal touch and innovative ideas to the discovery of new ways of 

enjoying food without compromising nutrition. 

The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria has partnered with Nestlé over the 

years in the company’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of 

maintaining healthy diets to help people imbibe positive eating habits for 

healthier lives. 

According to worldchefs.org, this year’s International Chefs Day celebration 

themed, ‘Growing Great Chefs,’ aims to ignite the imaginations of children, 

encouraging them to explore the wonderful world of flavors, textures, and 

cultures found in culinary arts through early exposure to the art of cooking 

Speaking at the event, Funmi Osineye, Business Manager, Nestlé Professional, 

said, “International Chefs Day provides us a unique opportunity to collaborate 

with teachers and guardians to enrich the nutrition knowledge of children within 

the communities where we live and work. We know that good food enables 

good life, and that habits imbibed early in life stay a lifetime with us. We are 

therefore delighted to work with the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria to 

introduce children to the exciting world of culinary arts. Today’s hands-on 

experience will help them recall the lessons learned in the N4HK in-class 

sessions and who knows, in line with this year’s theme, we might just have great 

future chefs among us here today!” 

Chef Belinda Esoimeme, representing the Association of Professional Chefs 

Nigeria said, “We are excited to spend this time with children teaching them the 

benefits of a healthy diet in a fun way. Prior to now, the focus was on particular 

careers like Medicine, Engineering and Law which are great careers. However, it 

is personally fulfilling for me to see young kids indicate interest in joining our  

noble profession. This hands-on experience will remain with them for a long 

time. Every year, Nestlé Professional continues to raise the bar through it’s

investment in the food service industry especially by supporting the 

development of Chefs and inspiring the next generation of Chefs. Giving children 

an opportunity to be involved in food is a necessary first step in raising the next 

generation of great chefs!” 

The International Chef’s Day event program included various activities like the 

Junior Master Chef practical session which thrilled the children! 

Guided by the chefs, the children were challenged to complete cooking tasks by 

adding their personal touch to recipes. The showcase and presentation of their 

creations were the highlights for the enthusiastic aspiring chefs. 

One of the participants, Favour Elum, a Primary 5 student of Wesley School 1, 

Oko, Sagamu, expressed her excitement on being selected to be part of the 

event, her first time on a factory tour. According to her, cooking with her team 

members and the chefs was so much fun and she now looks forward to cooking 

with her Mum at home and to sharing what she has learnt with her friends in 

school 

The children were encouraged to share their learning and to take part in 

preparing meals with their families. Each participant received fruit coloring books 

courtesy of Nestlé Professionals, to serve as reminders of the fruits and 

vegetables used during the session.

This event is one of the ways Nestlé Nigeria contributes to its goal of helping 50 

million children globally live healthier lives, through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids 

program, a global flagship initiative.

Since 2014, Nestlé and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria have 

partnered to deliver this laudable initiative to encourage children to form 

healthier nutrition habits for a healthier future 

About Nestlé Nigeria: 

Nestlé Nigeria is one of the largest food and beverage companies in Africa. The Company’s purpose is 

to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.

For over 62 years of its operation in Nigeria, Nestlé has delighted consumers around Nigeria by 

consistently delivering high quality nutritious food and beverages under its iconic brands: MAGGI,

MILO, GOLDEN MORN, NESTLÉ PURELIFE, CERELAC, NESCAFÉ and NIDO. 

With 3 manufacturing sites, 7 branch offices and a head office located in Lagos, Nestlé Nigeria is a force 

for good, helping to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of individuals and families to build thriving 

communities while taking action to protect the planet