Oluwakemi Folawole
Food Entrepreneur · Lagos Mainland
4–7 years cooking experiencePersonal information
- Full name
- Oluwakemi Folawole
- Location
- Lagos Mainland
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 24
- Phone
- 07062834141
- oluwakemifolawole@gmail.com
- Residential address
- Isaac John, fadeyi Lagos
- Social handles
- Khemora kitchen
Applicant profile
- Applicant type
- Food Entrepreneur
- Applicant type other
- Built on roasted goodness, roasted yam, potatoes, and plantain, paired with your choice of roasted or deep fried protein and a signature sauce that tastes like no other.
- Current occupation
- Food entrepreneur, khemora kitchen
- Cooking experience
- 4–7 years
Competition experience
- Prior competitions
- No
- Competition details
- I participated in a food challenge where the dish to be prepared was given to all participants, and we cooked from home to compete for an opportunity to secure a restaurant space. I was selected as one of the three finalists, which was a meaningful recognition of my culinary skills.
Competition readiness
- Available throughout competition
- Yes
Entrepreneurship and impact
- Runs a food business
- Yes
- Business name
- Khemora kitchen
- Business type
- Food and Beverage.
- Years in operation
- Over 4 years
- Business challenge
- I seek to strengthen my culinary skills, learn industry standard techniques, and gain practical knowledge that will enhance the quality, creativity, and consistency of my cooking.
Culinary journey
My culinary journey began at a young age. With my parents often busy, I found myself spending time in the kitchen, cooking for the family. I still remember my mum returning home at night and correcting me on what I had prepared, those moments became some of my earliest cooking lessons.
Living with my aunt, who is a caterer, further deepened my knowledge and passion for cooking. When I entered university, I started partnering with food vendors while studying full time, gaining valuable experience in food preparation, customer service, and the business side of food.
After graduation, I took a bold step and started cooking and selling my own meals around the University of Lagos, which eventually grew into Khemora Kitchen, a registered food business. The love, feedback, and reviews from my customers have continued to motivate me to improve and create more.
Winning a grant for my food business was another major milestone. It affirmed that the passion and hard work I have poured into my craft are creating something meaningful.
Today, I love cooking, I love creating, and I have so much more to cook, share, and bring to people.
Cooking inspiration
What inspires my cooking is the joy of creating food that people genuinely enjoy. My childhood experiences in the kitchen, my aunt’s catering influence, and the feedback I receive from my customers all continue to shape my creativity. I’m inspired by the opportunity to turn simple ingredients into delicious meals, experiment with different flavours, and create food that makes people come back for more. Most importantly, I’m inspired by knowing that every meal I prepare can create a memorable experience for someone.
Signature dish
My signature dish is roasted goodness, a delicious combination of roasted yam, potatoes, and plantain, served with your choice of roasted or deep fried protein and Khemora Kitchen’s signature sauce. What makes it special is the balance of smoky, savoury and slightly sweet flavours, with a sauce that adds a unique taste you won’t easily find elsewhere. It’s simple, satisfying and made to leave you craving the next bite.
Why I want to participate
I see this opportunity as a chance to grow my culinary skills, learn from experienced professionals, and gain valuable exposure in the food industry. I also want to challenge myself, connect with other passionate food entrepreneurs, and gain the knowledge and opportunities needed to take Khemora Kitchen to the next level. Most importantly, I want to showcase my creativity, share my love for food with a wider audience, and continue building a food brand that people can genuinely enjoy and trust.
What winning would mean
Winning would mean more than just receiving a prize to me, it would be a meaningful validation of the passion, hard work, and creativity I have invested in my food journey. It would give Khemora Kitchen greater visibility, open doors to new opportunities, and provide resources to grow the business. Most importantly, it would inspire me to keep pushing, create more, and show that a passion that started in my family kitchen can grow into something bigger and impactful.
