Meet Anambra Man Who Started Professional Cooking at 8
- Azuka Chinedu, 28-year-old man who started cooking at age 8, has won N2m award in Anambra
- A cooking competition, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries plc, featured at the 2025 edition of Afia Olu (New Yam) festival of the ancient Nnewi kingdom in Anambra State
- Chinedu's mother, Josephine, explained how she trained her son on cooking techniques despite opposition from his father
Twenty-eight-year-old man, Mazi Chinedu Okeke-Azuka, has won N2m award on Saturday, August 30, in a cooking competition organized by Nzukora Nnewi, during the 2025 edition of the community's New Yam festival known as 'Afia Olu Nnewi'. The competition was sponsored by Nigerian Breweries plc.
Chinedu, who was the only man in the midst of 3 women in the competition, took the first position after preparing watery yam pottage, using dried fish, black papper, and other medicinal herbs that help cleanse the womb after childbirth. He represented Umudim Nnewi quarter of the community in the competition.
Source: Original
Winner gifted N2m cash prize
The winner, who was handed a cheque of two million naira by the President General of Nzukora Nnewi, Chief (Hon.) Jude Osumuo, amid cheers, expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Breweries plc for giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent.
He also thanked Nzukora Nnewi, the town union body led by Jude Osumuo, for coming up with the initiative, which he said, was the first of its kind in Nnewi.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng correspondent, Azuka Chinedu gave insight into what improved his potential in cooking.
He said:
"My mother was a professional cook. She cooked for public events. Out of seven children that she born, I am the one that took after her. When I was growing up, I had always found myself in the kitchen, and cooking became my hubby. Today, there's no kind of dish that I cannot prepare.
"This journey started when I was 8 years old. Because of my passion for cooking, at age 8, I had always found myself assisting caterers in public events - assisting them in preparing foods, washing dishes, among other services.
"I never attended any domestic school for cooking. At age 16, I had a dream, where a name was given to me as 'Edu Special Kitchen.' After that, I started making arrangements on how to be on my own. I contacted my friends, siblings and close relatives, and told them about my plans. They supported me by bringing cooking jobs. This is how I got established. Today, I am one of the most sought after cooks in town."
Cook's mother shares his childhood stories
Also, in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng correspondent, Chinedu's mother, Josephine, said that when Chinedu was growing up, she had always brought him very close to the kitchen to watch her cook, and sometimes, cook himself.
Source: Original
"Those days, his father, Okeke Azuka, would resist and rebuke me. But I would always tell him that Chinedu must learn how to cook so that if he goes for apprenticeship, he would be cooking for his master, and if he got married, he can easily cook for the family when the wife is not disposed.
"As woman knowledgeable in preparing different foods, I taught him how to prepare different kinds of African delicacies, and he is now a professional, and earning a decent living through cooking."
She thanked the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe KON Orizu II, as well as the town's town union body, Nzukora Nnewi, led by Chief Jude Osumuo, for organizing the event; saying that such would help citizens to showcase their talent, potential and passion.
Armed vigilantes storm corpers' lodge
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a disturbing video had surfaced on social media showing armed vigilante operatives brutally assaulting a female corps member and her colleagues in Anambra state.
The operatives, identified as members of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, were seen storming a NYSC corps members’ lodge and attacking occupants despite their efforts to prove their identity.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng
Mokwugo Solomon (Anambra State Correspondent) Anambra's regional correspondent Mokwugwo Solomon is an Editor, Investigative Journalist, and Media Consultant, with a wealth of experience spanning 17 years. He bagged his B/Ed degree in English Education from University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University. After 17 years in various areas of journalism, Mokwugwo Solomon is now the Correspondent of Legit.ng in Anambra State, Nigeria, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. Contact him at: mokwugwosolomon@gmail.com OR: +2348063831036.
