IN this 21st century, the world continues to record an increased level of men’s involvement in some occupations that were previously tagged ‘occupations for women.’
This disposition has turned around the table of ‘what a man can do, a woman can do better’ to ‘what a woman can do, a man can do
better’ because men delving into the cooking field are attracting more patronage and preference to themselves as they are rated to perform better than their female counterparts.
This report brings to light experiences from a good number of men who are established chefs. They use this medium to tell their stories, discuss their challenges and encourage other men who love cooking but are still sceptical about choosing it as a career because of societal stereotypes.
A chef based in Enugu, Chime Chidubem Augustine, who gave his brand name as Dubi Spice said he started cooking when his elder
sister entered a boarding school and from there, he fell in love with cooking.
He said, “It was overwhelming at first. I burnt food. I burnt my hands. I had oil splashed on
my face. I over added salt and things like that.
So it went on to the extent I had to start going to market and buying the foodstuffs myself.
“Talking of how I learnt the skill, my mother played the first role, sometimes, I taught myself. I tried cooking some things I have not tried cooking before, other times, I asked Google.”
He said he was motivated to cook by the situation of the house and his preference of homemade food.
“Cooking felt weird to me at first but later on I found out that cooking is a life skill that everyone should acquire because it is necessary and handy.”I can testify that my friends, especially the females, mostly feel intimidated when I am in the kitchen.
“I so much love cooking and I have earned a lot from it just that the career path I am venturing into won’t give me the avenue to become a full time chef or something like that. I basically see it as a life skill which is necessary.”
An Ibadan based male Chef, Tolulope Oyafemi said while growing, he wasn’t able to cook and didn’t have much zeal until he started going to events with caterers as a waiter just to earn a living. From there, he came in contact
with a very good cook who noticed his zeal for food and decided to teach him.
He started cooking and dropped waitering.
He started from finger foods and small chops, then upgraded to Chinese rice, sauces, and African dishes.
For him, being a male cook is very enjoyable.
It doesn’t exhaust much energy, the only problem he feels that is in cooking is the ventilation,
heat and sweat in the kitchen.
“Customers, friends and family commend my food. The only challenge I have as a male Chef is that there is lots of competition in the cooking world, people create recipes everyday and as a chef I have the obligation of bringing the best taste on the table to attract customers.
“The first beauty of food is the appearance before the taste. Then it behooves the cook to make the food as sweet as it looks.”
He submitted that he plans on opening his own eatery, where people can access quality food and their choice of drinks.
Iyke, A male cook and event decorator based in Enugu, who goes with the brand name IykeDeco said, “I was motivated to cook because there was no one to cook in the house after my only sister died I was left alone being the last born and no one to help my mom.
Then I promised her to do whatever my sister will do for her in order for her to stop crying.”
He added that he feels great and people get surprised whenever he tells them that he is a Chef and he cooks really well.
Mr John, a Calabar based cook with the brand name CHEF K started cooking in 2012.
He said, “It was just a kind of ‘let me get Pocket Money stuff’ till I discovered that I have cooking potential. I got motivated when I discovered that cooking was more like a passion than a work to me.
“Basically, the challenge with being a male cook is that some people don’t value you as regards to your profession as per say I am doing women’s business, even friends will want to tease you but close ones appreciate that.”
He went on to confess how much he loves cooking after admitting that cooking can be very stressful but has already become part of his life.
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