Mariam Omowunmi Adedokun
Food Entrepreneur · Eti-Osa
1–3 years cooking experiencePersonal information
- Full name
- Mariam Omowunmi Adedokun
- Location
- Eti-Osa
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 30
- Social handles
- Tbc_chops
Applicant profile
- Applicant type
- Food Entrepreneur
- Applicant type other
- —
- Current occupation
- Head chef
- Cooking experience
- 1–3 years
Competition experience
- Prior competitions
- No
- Competition details
- —
Competition readiness
- Available throughout competition
- Yes
Entrepreneurship and impact
- Runs a food business
- Yes
- Business name
- TBC chops
- Business type
- Hospitality
- Years in operation
- 3
- Business challenge
- Eko Flavor could help me overcome the fear of stepping outside my comfort zone. I’m used to creating food for my customers and being confident in my kitchen, but putting myself in a competition where my creativity, speed and skills are judged is a completely different challenge. I want Eko Flavor to push me beyond what I already know, challenge me to trust my instincts and prove to myself that I’m capable of competing on a bigger culinary stage
Culinary journey
My culinary journey started with my love for cooking and creating food that people genuinely enjoy. Over time, that passion grew into my business, TBC Chops, where I create small chops, grills and Nigerian-inspired meals.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that cooking is more than just making food. It’s about creativity, flavour, presentation, and putting your heart into every dish. I’ve grown so much through every order, every customer and every experience, and I’m still learning every day.
I’m applying for Eko Flavours because I want to challenge myself, grow as a culinary creative, and have the opportunity to show people what I can really do with Nigerian flavours.
Cooking inspiration
My cooking journey was inspired by my genuine love for good food. I really love a good meal, and I’ve always enjoyed the joy that comes from creating something delicious and watching people enjoy it. What started as a love for cooking gradually grew into a passion for experimenting with flavours, improving my skills, and creating meals that leave people wanting more. For me, cooking is not just about feeding people, it’s about creating an experience through food.
Signature dish
I chose pineapple rice because I wanted to create a dish that is familiar, but with a surprising twist. Rice is something we eat so often, but I wanted to show how a simple staple can be transformed into something vibrant, flavourful and exciting. The sweetness of the pineapple balances the savoury and spicy flavours in the rice, creating a beautiful contrast. I also love the idea of using the pineapple in its entirety and turning something that could easily be discarded into part of the experience. For me, this dish represents creativity, resourcefulness and the ability to make something extraordinary from what you already have
Why I want to participate
I want to participate because I feel ready to take my culinary journey to the next level. I want to challenge myself, learn, meet other talented food creatives and have the opportunity to showcase my own style of cooking. I also want more people to experience my creativity and passion for Nigerian food. I believe Eko Flavours would be a great platform for me to grow, gain new experiences and show people what I can do
What winning would mean
Winning would mean a lot to me because it would be a huge milestone in my culinary journey. It would show me that the little steps I’ve taken, the risks I’ve taken and all the hard work I’ve put into my cooking and my business have not been in vain. It would give me more confidence to dream bigger, grow TBC Chops and continue doing what I love. For me, it would be proof that I belong in this space and that there’s so much more I can achieve.
