Odiase Omono
Food Entrepreneur · Oshodi-Isolo
4–7 years cooking experiencePersonal information
- Full name
- Odiase Omono
- Location
- Oshodi-Isolo
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 26
- Social handles
- Oni’diary
Applicant profile
- Applicant type
- Food Entrepreneur
- Applicant type other
- Private chef/ cook
- Current occupation
- Private chef/ cook
- Cooking experience
- 4–7 years
Competition experience
- Prior competitions
- No
- Competition details
- —
Competition readiness
- Available throughout competition
- Yes
Entrepreneurship and impact
- Runs a food business
- Yes
- Business name
- Oni’s kitchen
- Business type
- Occasional catering, meal preps and bulk orders of soups, stews, different rice dishes and pasta
- Years in operation
- 5
- Business challenge
- One challenge Eko Flavours could help me overcome is the lack of exposure and opportunities to showcase my culinary skills on a bigger platform. I have gained valuable hands-on
experience, but I would love the opportunity to challenge myself, build confidence, learn from others and gain greater recognition for my abilities as a chef.
Culinary journey
My culinary journey began with a genuine passion for food and a love for creating meals that bring people together. Over the years, I have developed my skills through hands-on cooking experience, menu planning, meal preparation, and working with different ingredients and cooking styles. My experience has also included preparing Nigerian and international dishes, catering for different preferences, and working as a private chef. Each experience has helped me become more creative, organized, adaptable, and confident in the kitchen.
Cooking inspiration
I am inspired by the ability of food to create memorable experiences. I enjoy experimenting with flavours, learning new techniques, and finding creative ways to present familiar dishes. I am especially inspired by Nigerian cuisine and its rich variety of flavours, while also enjoying the opportunity to incorporate international influences into my cooking. Seeing people genuinely enjoy a meal I have prepared is one of my biggest motivations.
Signature dish
My signature dish is a well-seasoned Nigerian-style jollof rice served with properly marinated and grilled lemon chicken. I focus on building deep flavour through the right combination of spices, aromatics, and a well-developed pepper base, while making sure the rice has the right texture. I enjoy giving this familiar dish my own touch through careful preparation and presentation.
Why I want to participate
I want to participate because I see this as an opportunity to challenge myself, grow as a chef, and showcase my creativity and passion for food. I would love to learn from other talented cooks, gain new experiences, and have my skills tested in a competitive environment. Most importantly, I want to step outside my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can take my culinary abilities to a higher level.
What winning would mean
Winning would mean a great deal to me because it would be recognition of the hard work, passion, and dedication I have put into developing my culinary skills. It would give me greater confidence in my abilities, open doors to new opportunities, and motivate me to continue growing professionally. Beyond the prize itself, I would value the opportunity to build a stronger reputation in the culinary industry and inspire me to pursue bigger goals in my culinary journey.
