Nestlé Professional Trains 250 Food Vendors in Bauchi at 11th ‘Business of Food’ Workshop

Nestlé Professional Trains 250 Food Vendors in Bauchi at 11th ‘Business of Food’ Workshop

Nestlé Professional, the out-of-home business arm of Nestlé Nigeria, has extended its Business of Food workshop to Bauchi State, equipping over 250 food vendors, caterers, grillers, and canteen operators with vital culinary and business management skills.

The initiative, now in its 11th edition, is designed to help micro, small, and medium-scale operators in Nigeria’s competitive foodservice sector improve profitability, maintain high hygiene standards, and deliver nutritious meals. Since its inception, the programme has trained more than 2,600 food vendors across 11 states.

Speaking at the Bauchi edition, Business Manager of Nestlé Professional Nigeria, Mr. Ibraheem Awelenje, explained the vision behind the programme.

“Our goal is to see food vendors in Nigeria not just survive but thrive. Bauchi’s food entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in tradition, yet eager to innovate, and this excites us. By connecting them with practical skills, new ideas, and a network of peers, we’re investing in businesses that feed families, create jobs, and preserve our rich culinary heritage. This is how we make more possible, one vendor, one community at a time,” he said.

The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Bauchi State Association of Caterers and Food Vendors, featured sessions on menu planning, food hygiene, pricing strategies, customer service, and food styling. Participants also took part in a live masterclass with renowned Nigerian chef, Chef Paulina, who demonstrated creative ways of elevating traditional dishes such as Dafadukan Shinkafa Da Awara.

A highlight of the event was a cooking challenge where participants showcased their culinary skills. Judges assessed their dishes based on taste, presentation, and creativity, with winners celebrated at the close of the programme.

For many attendees, the training was a game-changer. Mrs. Justina Stephen, Managing Director and Head Cook of Justfine Restaurants, described the experience as transformative.

“I am really excited about today’s program and honestly grateful to Nestlé. The training has opened my eyes to possibilities I never considered before and showed me how to better plan my menu and even price my meals to increase my profit,” she said.

Nestlé Professional says the Business of Food initiative reflects its broader commitment to nutrition, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Nigeria.

“At Nestlé, our purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Business of Food is one of the many ways we bring that purpose to life,” Mr. Awelenje added.