Nestlé Professional Celebrates International Chefs Day 2024 with Young Chefs-in-Training
Nestlé Professional, in partnership with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, marked International Chefs Day 2024 with a special focus on nurturing future culinary talents. Celebrated on October 20, the event was themed “GROWING GREAT CHEFS” and brought together 10 professional chefs and 40 children from beneficiary schools of the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) program in Agbara, Ogun State.
The event aimed to inspire young minds to embrace healthy eating and creativity in the kitchen. The children participated in hands-on cookery workshops, where they worked with nutritious ingredients such as spinach, potatoes, carrots, and rice. Guided by the chefs, they experimented with their own unique touches, discovering new ways to prepare and enjoy wholesome meals without compromising on nutrition.
Speaking at the event, Funmi Osineye, Business Manager at Nestlé Professional, highlighted the importance of the initiative: “The wellbeing of children is a key concern for parents and caregivers and is essential to societal progress. At Nestlé, we are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to improve the health of future generations through nutrition education and the provision of high-quality, nutritious food and beverages. Today’s event encourages children to explore their creativity while fostering a deeper appreciation for healthy eating.”
Since 2014, Nestlé has partnered with the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria to promote healthy nutrition habits in children, building a foundation for a healthier future. Chef Udemezue Okoli, Coordinator of the Lagos Branch of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, expressed excitement over the event: “It’s a pleasure to teach these children the benefits of a balanced diet in such an engaging way. Nestlé Professional consistently supports the development of chefs and promotes Nigeria’s food tourism, while inspiring the next generation of culinary talent.”
One of the day’s highlights was the Junior Master Chef session, where the young participants competed in creative cooking challenges. The children’s culinary creations were showcased and presented to an enthusiastic audience of chefs, educators, and guests.
Blessing Peter, a student from Salvation Army Primary School, expressed her excitement: “I’m so happy to have been chosen for this event. I really enjoyed creating new recipes with sweet potatoes, chicken, and vegetables. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with my family. On behalf of all the students, I want to thank Nestlé Nigeria for this amazing opportunity.”
As part of the event, the children were encouraged to take what they learned back home, sharing their new cooking skills with their families. Each participant received a fruit-themed coloring book from Nestlé Professional to remind them of the healthy ingredients they used during the session.
This initiative is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s broader commitment to helping 50 million children globally live healthier lives through its flagship Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) program. By engaging children in fun and educational activities, Nestlé fosters a love for cooking, creativity, and healthy habits, ensuring a brighter and healthier future.
About Nestlé Professional
Nestlé Professional is the Out-of-Home division of Nestlé, focused on providing high-quality food and beverage solutions to Nigeria’s foodservice industry, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, and catering companies. The division aims to be the trusted partner of choice, delivering affordable and nutritious solutions to support its customers’ success.
