Uncooked Women

Home-grown Hospitality and 10 years of HSE Gourmet with Chef Nkesi Enyioha

10 years ago, Chef Nkesi officially launched HSE Gourmet, her restaurant that serves gourmet comfort food classics inspired by her travels - think aromatic Pho, indulgent Mac & Cheese and a hearty Beef Pot Pie  . What initially started as a private catering service, expanded into a cafe when she got a kitchen space and, as an afterthought, added a small sitting area to function as a restaurant. That small space became HSE, a homegrown staple in the Lagos’ dining scene. Today she’s also the co-executive chef of Sabor, and formerly Ohuru. In this episode, Adaorah Oduah and Chef Nkesi talk about her journey as a pioneer in Nigeria’s food space, her approach to fusion cuisine, and how reinventing herself has always been on her own terms. Watch the full episode to hear the story behind HSE Gourmet and the evolution of one of Lagos’ most interesting culinary entrepreneurs.

Decolonising The Way We Eat With Chef Moyo Akinbo of Atije

What if the future of Nigerian cuisine isn't about reinventing our food, but rediscovering what has always been ours?  To premiere season 2 of Uncooked Women, food writer Adaorah Oduah sits down with Chef Moyo Akinbo, founder of the Atije Experience and winner of the Kitchen Season 1, to discuss her journey from culinary school in Switzerland to becoming one of the leading voices reimagining West African dining. From the moment she realized how misunderstood Nigerian food was on the global stage, Chef Moyo has been on a mission to tell our stories through indigenous ingredients and thoughtfully curated dining experiences that celebrate the richness of our culinary heritage. If you've ever wondered what the Nigerian culinary world looks like, why our traditional ingredients matter, or how food connects us to history and community, this episode is one you won't want to miss.  This episode is available on YouTube [https://youtu.be/B2u4Azno73A]. Listen, watch, and subscribe.

‘That’s Chef Wu, To You’ with Wunmi Durosinmi-Etti a.k.a Chef Wu

Chef Wu keeps it spicy in and out of the kitchen. After running a successful Afro-Caribbean food catering business in London, she moved to Lagos to start Oùnję Co. — her hospitality consultancy firm. Braised ox cheek pepper soup, and plantain brûlée are some of the dishes she serves at private dinners, and on the side, she’s on a mission to make Nigerian hospitality better ‘One Bite at a Time’. She chats with Ada & Lamisko about moving to Lagos and standing on (food) business.

‘Fonio is For the Girls’ with Cobi-Jane Akinrele

Cobi-Jane Akinrele wants Nigerian female farmers to get paid. She’s the founder of The Aké Collective, a health and wellness company that’s making fonio more accessible. After leaving the Cambridge countryside for Lagos, she planned to start an agri-tech business in Jos after completing her NYSC. But, when she met women growing and selling fonio for extra income, she changed plans and business models. Ada & Lamisko dig into her work to promote women’s wellness.

‘Let Her Cook!’ with Jumoke Toyobo a.k.a Chef TYB

Jumoke Toyobo makes a delicious garri sorbet. Known in the kitchen as Chef TYB, she’s a private chef and restaurant consultant who serves immersive dining experiences with menus that match her diverse culinary background. From pub kitchens in Portsmouth to Michelin starred restaurants in London, and now recently back from a gastro-tour of North America, she joins Ada & Lamisko to chat about the art of eba and her journey to becoming a chef.