Gilead Culinary Academy: Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Culinary Entrepreneurship

Following the successful launch of 9ja Food Fiesta, the next major milestone was the commencement of our empowerment programmes. In line with our commitment to addressing hunger and unemployment through practical skills, we officially kicked off our training with the Culinary Skills programme, partnering with Gilead Culinary Academy as our first culinary training provider.

Gilead Culinary Academy played a pivotal role in translating the vision of 9ja Food Fiesta into hands-on, impactful learning. The academy delivered a well-structured and intensive training programme designed to equip participants not only with cooking skills but also with the business knowledge required to succeed in the food industry.

Training Structure and Schedule

The culinary training was organized to allow for both depth and consistency. Classes were held **two times a week, with two training sessions per day, ensuring adequate time for theory, demonstrations, and practical sessions. The programme ran for approximately one month, giving participants enough exposure to master essential culinary techniques and concepts.

Areas of Training

Throughout the training period, participants received comprehensive instruction in a wide range of culinary areas, including:

Pastries: Trainees were taught how to prepare various pastries, equipping them with skills that are highly marketable and in constant demand.

Intercontinental Dishes: Exposure to intercontinental cuisine broadened participants’ culinary knowledge and prepared them to cater to diverse clients and events.

African Dishes: Emphasis was placed on African cuisine, celebrating local flavors while reinforcing the importance of preserving cultural food heritage.

Street Food and Low-Capital Meals: One of the most impactful aspects of the training was the focus on street food and basic meals, foods that require minimal capital and simple tools to prepare. This was intentional, as it empowered participants to start earning almost immediately after training, even with limited resources.

Business and Entrepreneurial Skills

Beyond cooking, Gilead Culinary Academy ensured participants understood the business side of food entrepreneurship. Trainees were taught:

Identifying their target audience, helping them understand who their customers are and how to serve them effectively.

Costing and pricing, a critical skill that enables entrepreneurs to calculate expenses accurately, set profitable prices, and avoid losses.

These lessons were essential in preparing participants to run sustainable food businesses rather than just cook meals.

Impact and Significance

The training at Gilead Culinary Academy marked a strong and purposeful beginning for the 9ja Food Fiesta empowerment journey. By combining culinary techniques with practical business knowledge, the programme empowered participants with skills they could immediately translate into income-generating activities. This approach directly supports our broader mission of fighting hunger, reducing poverty, and promoting self-reliance.

The success of the Gilead Culinary Academy training set a high standard for subsequent trainings and reaffirmed the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving lasting social impact.