In celebration of International Chefs Day 2024, Nestlé Professional, in partnership with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) and the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, organized an event focused on promoting healthy eating and creativity among young children. Themed “Growing Great Chefs,” the event brought together 10 professional chefs and 40 children from Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) beneficiary schools.
Held on October 20, the initiative aimed to teach children the importance of nutritious eating through hands-on cooking workshops using healthy ingredients like spinach, potatoes, carrots, and rice. The children were encouraged to add their personal creativity to their culinary creations while learning how to enjoy delicious food without compromising on nutrition.
Funmi Osineye, Business Manager at Nestlé Professional, underscored the significance of the event, stating, “The wellbeing of children is a top priority for parents and caregivers, and at Nestlé, we are dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders to improve the health of future generations through nutrition education. Today’s event serves as a platform for inspiring children to explore their creativity with food.”
Chef Udemezue Okoli, Coordinator of the Lagos Branch of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, expressed excitement over the initiative, saying, “We are thrilled to spend time with these children, teaching them the benefits of a healthy diet in a fun and engaging way. Nestlé Professional’s continuous investment in the food service industry and the development of future chefs is commendable.”
The highlight of the event was the Junior Master Chef session, where the children showcased their culinary creations to an enthusiastic audience of chefs, educators, and guests. Blessing Peter, a participant from Salvation Army Primary School, expressed her excitement, saying, “I am so happy to have been chosen for this event. I enjoyed creating new recipes with sweet potatoes, chicken, and vegetables, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with my family.”
The children were encouraged to share their newfound knowledge with their families and were gifted fruit-themed coloring books to remind them of the healthy ingredients used during the session.
This event is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to helping 50 million children globally live healthier lives through its Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) program. Nestlé continues to foster healthy habits and creativity in children, furthering its mission to promote good nutrition and a love for cooking.