Nestlé Nigeria, through its out-of-home business arm, Nestlé Professional, has extended its flagship Business of Food workshop series to Bauchi State, training more than 250 food vendors, canteen operators, grillers, and caterers on culinary and business management.
The initiative, now in its 11th edition, is designed to empower micro, small, and medium-scale food operators with the knowledge to run profitable and sustainable businesses while ensuring meals are prepared hygienically and meet nutritional standards.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Business Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, Mr. Ibraheem Awelenje, said the company’s vision is to support food entrepreneurs across the country with the right tools to succeed. “Our goal is to see food vendors in Nigeria not just survive but thrive. Bauchi’s food entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in tradition, yet eager to innovate. By connecting them with practical skills, new ideas, and a network of peers, we’re investing in businesses that feed families, create jobs, and preserve our rich culinary heritage,” Awelenje explained.
The Bauchi edition of the training was organised in partnership with the Bauchi State Association of Caterers and Food Vendors. Participants also joined a live Masterclass session led by Nigerian chef, Chef Paulina, who demonstrated new approaches to food preparation and presentation.
Speaking after the workshop, Mrs. Justina Stephen, Head Cook at Justfine Restaurants, described the programme as an eye-opener. “The training has opened my eyes to possibilities I never considered before. I now understand how to better plan my menu and price my meals to increase profit. It has been a very good experience,” she said.
Nestlé noted that the Business of Food workshop is part of its commitment to improving livelihoods and driving shared value across Nigeria’s food ecosystem. Since its launch, the programme has trained over 2,600 food vendors across 11 states, equipping them with the skills to improve customer service, increase profits, and strengthen resilience in a competitive food market.
The company explained that by teaching participants the balance between nutrition, hygiene, and business strategy, it aims to boost consumer confidence in street food and canteens while enabling vendors to build stronger, more profitable businesses.
With food vending being one of Nigeria’s largest informal sector activities, industry experts say such initiatives are critical for enhancing food safety and improving small businesses’ contributions to local economies.
Nestlé Professional added that it will continue expanding the Business of Food workshop series to more states as part of its mission to support food entrepreneurs and promote healthier eating habits nationwide.
