Children learning from Chefs at an event to organised by the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria and Nestlé Nigeria Plc to mark the 2019 International Chefs Day at Sagamu, Ogun State.
By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos, Oct. 22, 2019
The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria and Nestlé Nigeria Plc on Tuesday educated children and their teachers on how healthy food works in celebration of the 2019 International Chefs Day.
10 schools from Ogun participated in the programme held at Nestlé’s Flowergate Factory, Sagamu.
The International Chefs Day is commemorated annually on Oct. 20. The theme for 2019 is: “How Healthy Food Works.”
Since its creation by an esteemed chef, Dr Bill Gallagher in 2004, chefs have been committed to using the day to celebrate the profession, and pass knowledge and culinary skills to the next generation of chefs.
Speaking at the event, Nick Maaji, Director, South-West of Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, said that the day offers chefs across the globe a unique opportunity to network.
“It also offers opportunity to promote the profession to future chefs and most importantly, make a difference in their local communities through making healthy eating fun and exciting for kids and exposing them to the culinary profession.
“We are delighted to be here today to engage the children on how to prepare healthy food.
“This is because we know that the more children are involved in the choice and preparation of food, the more likely they will choose healthy food options.
“We are also very happy to have an opportunity to collaborate with Nestlé, especially the Nestlé Professional team who has made this event possible today,” Nick said.
According to him, the practical sessions offered the children an opportunity to make decisions on the ingredients they need to purchase for the meals assigned to their specific groups.
“Together with the chefs, the children created recipes out of fresh food items including vegetables, fruits, grains and proteins readily available in their immediate environment.
“The excitement of the children was palpable as they experienced food from ingredients to recipes, from preparation to the table,’’ he said.
In her remarks, Ms Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Nestlé Nigeria, said: “This event is one of the ways we contribute toward our goals of helping children live healthier lives.
“This is through our global flagship programme: `Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK)’.
“The children we have hosted today are from N4HK participating schools in Ogun.
“We hope the children will not only practice all they have learnt today, but will also share the knowledge they have received on How Healthy Food Works with their friends and parents,’’ she said.
Speaking on his experience, one of the participants, Mark Areghan, a pupil of St Paul’s School 1, Makun, Sagamu said: “Today has been an exciting day for me.
“ I have learnt how to make pasta in different healthy ways; I will teach my friends and try out the dishes again at home with my Mum,’’ he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Motunrayo Egunjobi, Director, Social Mobilisation, Ogun Universal Basic Education Board, said: “I appreciate the excellent work Nestlé is doing for kids.
“This has been a great learning experience not only for the kids, but for all of us present.
“ I know the kids will go back and practice what they have learnt today,’’ Egunjobi said.
