Street foods have been with food lovers for years, those who see to how this works and how the cravings of people are met is increasing by the day. With advancement in technology, changes are being made to how excellent services is being delivered in this regard. Introducing new recipes, ideas and techniques to the pre-existing ones is also, a further show of how the street food industry has evolved overtime.
Game changers like Food Bay TV curator of The cooking reality show, Street Foodz Naija . (A cooking reality show set to show the diversity and the finest and best street food vendor(s) in Nigeria.)
The show typically celebrates these creatives (i.e street food vendors) who see the need to always satisfy human cravings when the need arises.
Fajana Oluwafemi Adegboyega, is the founder of La Krim Foodies, and the winner of Street Foodz Naija season 2. My Cookery Zone got talking to the person behind ‘The Good Food Company’, La Krim Foodies. Chef Krim as he’s professionally called, spoke to My Cookery Zone on his inspiring journey before, during and more recently after the competition.
From the street food business he started sometimes in 2014, to the short journey he embarked on in his career as a contestant on the show. Where he journeyed from being voted for, got eliminated as a result of public voting, got a wildcard to come back into the competition and according to chef Krim, from that very day he was called back to the contest he started acting like a winner.
WHAT WAS LIFE FOR CHEF KRIM BEFORE BEING A CONTESTANT ON STREET FOODZ NAIJA?
Prior to the Street Foodz Naija, I was running my day to day business as a Street Food vendor. I have been in this business for a while, I started in the year 2014.
AS A FOOD VENDOR DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A STREET FOOD VENDOR BEFORE NOW?
Yeah, I started as a Street Food-preneur / Vendor because that was what I had always wanted to do. To make quality and affordable meals available on our Naija Streets.
YOU LOST DURING THE VERY FIRST VOTING STAGE OF THE COMPETITION HOW DID THIS MAKE YOU FEEL?
I felt down and disappointed at first but I encouraged myself later on, prayed about it and I hoped for the best which later happened *smiles* .
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON COMPETITIONS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC VOTING?
I feel Food related competition shouldn’t be judged by voting alone. Food tasting should also be involved in picking any contestant.
A WILD CARD BROUGHT YOU BACK INTO THE COMPETITION DID YOU FORESEE THIS AND HOW DID BEING BACK IN THE COMPETITION MAKE YOU FEEL?
I never for once thought that the Wild card would be involved in this contest when it’s not Big Brother Naija but as Grace would have it, the Wildcard was introduced. My joy knew no bounds the day I was called back to the contest and I acted like a winner from that day. I even shared the prize money I hadn’t won then amongst other contestants .
YOUR LAST STREET FOOD DISH IN THE COMPETITION WOWED THE KING MAKER’S (i.e JUDGES) WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
To be honest with you, it was God . He took the lead and I followed His directions. I spoke in tongues all through the cooking process. I have never made that dish before, It’s not even on my menu in my Restaurant. It was just God.
HOW DO YOU PLAN ON USING YOUR INFLUENCE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF NIGERIAN STREET FOOD?
I plan to encourage upcoming Street Foodpreneurs / Vendors by sensitizing and educating them on how to make their meals more nourishing and appealing to their prospective customers . I have some other pet projects coming up. Watch out for Chef Krim of La Krim Foodies *chuckles* .
DO YOU SEE THE PUBLIC EMBRACING STREET FOOD MORE THAN EVER BEFORE?
That’s certain when we have the likes of La Krim Foodies on the street of Naija, Why not? .
My Cookery Zone 