Umoh Ekemini Samuel
Culinary Student · Lagos Mainland
1–3 years cooking experiencePersonal information
- Full name
- Umoh Ekemini Samuel
- Location
- Lagos Mainland
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 23
- Phone
- 09072452394
- samuelekemini002@gmail.com
- Residential address
- 4 Mobalaji Williams street Almue ijankin Lagos
- Social handles
- @ the.chef.ini
Applicant profile
- Applicant type
- Culinary Student
- Applicant type other
- —
- Current occupation
- Waitresses
- Cooking experience
- 1–3 years
Competition experience
- Prior competitions
- Yes
- Competition details
- I participated in the NFS 2026 cooking competition and came third place
Competition readiness
- Available throughout competition
- Yes
Entrepreneurship and impact
- Runs a food business
- No
- Business name
- —
- Business type
- —
- Years in operation
- —
- Business challenge
- Eko Flavor will help me overcome limited resources by teaching me how to create big flavor with simple, local ingredients. It will also help me overcome lack of exposure by giving me training, mentorship, and a platform to grow as a student chef. Most importantly, it will help me overcome self-doubt by building my confidence through feedback and real competition experience.
Culinary journey
I’ve loved cooking since I was a child, and that passion led me to culinary school where I’m still training today. Cooking isn’t just a skill for me, it’s how I express myself. I enjoy every moment in the kitchen, and the feedback I get from people who taste my food keeps me growing. I’m entering this competition to challenge myself, learn more, and share the flavors I’ve grown up loving.
Cooking inspiration
What inspires my cooking is the love I grew up with in the kitchen. I started cooking at a young age, and food became my way of bringing people together, showing them love and making them happy. Now as a student chef, I’m still learning, but the feedback I get from people who taste my food keeps me going. I cook with passion, culture, and the desire to share flavors that tell a story.
Signature dish
My signature dish is stir fried Irish potatoes. simple ingredients turned into something full of flavor and comfort.
Why I want to participate
I want to participate in EKO FLAVOUR because cooking has been my joy since I was young. As a student chef, I’m eager to grow, challenge myself, and share how food brings people together. I’m here to learn, get feedback, and give my best.
What winning would mean
Winning would mean so much to me because it would open doors for me as a young chef. It would inspire me to keep going, and it would show other young people that if you start with passion and keep learning, you can achieve big things.
