BY AYODELE ESAN
Nestlé Nigeria marked the International Chefs Day 2019 by educating children and their teachers on ‘How Healthy
Food Works’, in collaboration with the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria.
Ten schools in Ogun State
participated at the event, held at the organizations’ Flowergate Factory, Shagamu , Ogun State.
Speaking at the event, Chef Nick Maaji, Director, South West of Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria said that
the International Chefs Day, which takes place on October 20 every year, offers chefs from around the globe a unique opportunity to network, promote their 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.
The theme for 2019 is ‘How Healthy Food Works.’
“We are delighted to be here today to engage the children on how to prepare healthy food 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,” Chef Nick added.
The practical sessions offered the children an opportunity to make the decisions on the ingredients they needed 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.
Speaking on his experience, 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.”
In her remarks at the event, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Nestlé
Nigeria said, “This event is one of the ways we contribute towards our goals of helping children live healthier lives through our global flagship program, ‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK).’ The children we have hosted today are from
N4HK participating schools in Ogun State. We hope the children will not only practice all they have learned today, but will also share the knowledge they have received on How Healthy Food works with their friends and parents.”
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Motunrayo Egunjobi, Director, Social Mobilization, Ogun State 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”.
Nestlé and the Association of Chefs Nigeria organise this event annually to raise awareness of adequate diets and active lifestyles to equip children to form healthier nutrition habits earlier to promote a healthier future.
