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

2023 International Chefs Day - Nestlé Professional inspires the next 
generation of chefs 
Adedeji Ayoade, Desk Officer, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board

 


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

Empowering tomorrow’s culinary stars
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. 
  1. Funmi Osineye, Business Manager, Nestlé Professional
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. 
  1. Chef Mark Punshak, Development Chef, Nestlé Nigeria PLC
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.
  1. Chef Belinda Esoimeime, Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria
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.
  1. Isaac Elimbi, Factory Manager, Nestlé Flowergate Factory
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.

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