Nestlé Professional Celebrates 2023 International Chef’s Day, Fostering Culinary Creativity Among Young Minds

By fabulous reporter

In celebration of the 2023 International Chef’s Day, Nestlé Professional provided 50 children from Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) beneficiary schools in Sagamu, Ogun State, with an immersive cooking experience. This initiative reflects Nestlé’s commitment to encouraging children to explore creativity in the kitchen, ultimately leading to healthier food choices.

Every year, on International Chef’s Day, Nestlé Nigeria and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria bring children together to participate in crafting new recipes that emphasize the use of fruits and vegetables. These interactive events empower children to bring their unique ideas to the table, fostering a deeper understanding of how to enjoy food without compromising on nutrition.

Nestlé has collaborated with the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria over the years to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and cultivating positive eating habits for healthier lives.

This year’s International Chef’s Day theme, ‘Growing Great Chefs,’ aims to ignite children’s imaginations and encourages them to explore the world of flavors, textures, and cultures found in the culinary arts. Through early exposure to the art of cooking, this initiative seeks to inspire a new generation of culinary enthusiasts.

Funmi Osineye, Business Manager, Nestlé Professional, expressed, “International Chef’s Day provides a unique opportunity for us to work with teachers and guardians to enhance children’s nutritional knowledge within our communities. We understand that good food leads to a good life, and habits formed early in life stay with us. We are thrilled to introduce children to the exciting world of culinary arts and hope that some of them may become great chefs in the future, in line with this year’s theme.”

Chef Belinda Esoimeme, representing the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, added, “We are excited to spend time with children, teaching them the benefits of a healthy diet in a fun and engaging way. It’s personally fulfilling to see young kids showing interest in our noble profession. Every year, Nestlé Professional continues to raise the bar by supporting the development of chefs and inspiring the next generation.”

The International Chef’s Day program featured various activities, including a Junior Master Chef practical session that captivated the children. Guided by the chefs, the young participants were challenged to complete cooking tasks, adding their personal touch to recipes. The showcase and presentation of their culinary creations marked the pinnacle of the event for the aspiring chefs.

Favour Elum, a Primary 5 student of Wesley School 1, Oko, Sagamu, shared her excitement at being selected to participate in the event, her first-ever factory tour. She emphasized that cooking with her team members and the chefs was incredibly enjoyable, and she now looks forward to cooking with her family and sharing her newfound knowledge with friends.

The children were encouraged to apply what they learned by preparing meals with their families. As a reminder of the fruits and vegetables they used during the session, each participant received fruit coloring books courtesy of Nestlé Professionals.

This event is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s contribution to its global goal of helping 50 million children live healthier lives through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids program, a flagship initiative.

Since 2014, Nestlé and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria have been steadfast partners in delivering this admirable initiative to encourage children to adopt healthier nutrition habits for a brighter future.