Nestlé Professional, the Out-of-Home business arm of Nestlé Nigeria, has empowered more than 2,600 food vendors across 11 states through its Business of Food workshop series.
The latest edition was held in Bauchi State, where 250 vendors, canteen operators, and caterers received practical training designed to sharpen both their culinary and business skills.
Speaking on the initiative, Ibraheem Awelenje, Business Manager at Nestlé Professional Nigeria, said the programme is tailored to help small food businesses grow in the country’s competitive food service industry.
“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, fresh ideas, and a network of peers, we are investing in businesses that feed families, create jobs, and preserve our rich culinary heritage,” Awelenje said.
The training covered areas such as menu planning, hygiene, pricing, customer service, and food styling. Participants also benefited from a live masterclass by Nigerian chef, Chef Paulina, who demonstrated creative takes on traditional dishes like Dafadukan Shinkafa Da Awara.
A cooking challenge rounded off the workshop, with winners celebrated for their creativity and presentation.
Justina Stephen, Managing Director of Justfine Restaurants, praised the programme, saying:
“I am really excited about today’s training and grateful to Nestlé. It opened my eyes to new possibilities I had never considered and showed me how to plan my menu and price meals more effectively to increase profit.”
Since its inception, the Business of Food series has helped food vendors improve their menus, strengthen customer loyalty, and build more sustainable livelihoods, Nestlé noted in a statement.
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Nestlé Professional reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s food service industry by promoting innovation, enhancing nutrition, and creating lasting income opportunities for small-scale food entrepreneurs.
