"I spent my childhood 'hubbing' around my mother in her kitchen, never realizing I was actually witnessing the birth of my greatest passion."

My journey began in the vibrant heart of Ondo, Nigeria. Growing up, the kitchen was the center of our world, dominated by the incredible talent of my mother, affectionately known as Iye Nan Ni.

As a young girl, I was always by her side—peeling yams, cleaning greens, and watching how she could transform simple ingredients into a feast that brought the whole neighborhood together. I never dreamed that those hours spent in the steam of the pots were igniting a fire in me that would last a lifetime.

Today, when I stand in my own kitchen in Carmel, I feel her presence in every stir. I don't just cook to feed people—I cook to share the soul of my heritage and the love that Iye Nan Ni poured into me.

— Folake Adeniyi