By Okosun Dennis
Call it a masterstroke, you are absolutely right. The kids were extremely excited. The glamour, panache and the conviviality of the atmosphere at the 2024 GTCO Foods and Drinks Festival with the theme: “A Celebration of Authentic Flavours,” lives no one in doubt the experience that will be shared and new knowledge in cuisines that will be gained by thousands of people that will attend the three days event.
Throughout the 1 hour, 15 minutes the class lasted; specifically designed to teach kids on the skills of baking, Uche Annie Uzoka, global chef, with her sleeves full of knowledge; loaded the kids with invaluable baking tips that held them spellbound.
The GTCO Foods and Drinks Festival taking place at GTCO Centre situated at Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, was compered by Princess Mojibade Sosanya who set the stage by introducing the Global Chef, Annie Uzoka.
With her teaching covering baking of Banana bread, making of cookies and others, she called out co-chef from among the school children, princess Olatimofe, and Timilehin, together they made cookies and banana bread.
Other co-chefs who assisted in other physical baking sessions included Akin, Joy, Timiloye and Ajani. She laid out on the table the essential ingredients needed to bake, taking a cursory look at the mixing for a unique cuisine.
Such ingredients included sugar, white sugar, white chocolate, flower, egg, salt and baking powder. Others were brown sugar, butter milk, baking soda etc. After carefully mixing all the ingredients depending on what she wanted to achieve, they were cut into sizes and placed in the oven under regulated heat. It was a refreshing moment as novices in baking had a swell time learning new arts in culinary education.
In a conversation with our Correspondent, Uche Annie Uzoka, a mother of two daughters, said that she didn’t go to culinary school with the plan to become a baker but when she realized you have a good product, you have to stand on it.
Asked why the masterclass was principally dedicated to kids, she explained that GTCO wanted somebody who could engage the kids so that they could enjoy it in a relaxed atmosphere.
Sharing his experience in the masterclass with our Correspondent, Usman Kabir, a 14 years student of British International School (BIS), Lekki said he has benefitted immensely from the masterclass as he can now bake three different cuisines – cookies, muffins and others.
“I have always tried my hands at baking cookies and doesn’t turn out good but with this, I can proudly say that I have gained a lot and would be able to bake cookies and achieve the best result,” he explained.
While appreciating GTCO, Usman said “thank you for hosting this class and I look forward to having subsequent editions.”
Chef Uche Annie Uzoka is the Founder and Creative Director of Gourmet Twist, a rapidly expanding culinary brand with a presence in Lagos, Nigeria, and Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
She specializes in pastries and Afro-infused dishes, Chef Uche’s culinary journey, according to her, began after completing her studies at the University of Lagos and Reddish Culinary School.
She further explained that her passion for cooking and a desire to offer unique culinary experiences was fueled by customer satisfaction hence she ventured into entrepreneurship and launched Gourmet Twist in 2017.
Uche’s dedication to excellence in pastry and arts, along with her commitment to showcasing the rich flavours of Nigerian cuisine, has earned her widespread acclaim and admiration.
As she continues to expand Gourmet Twist’s reach and explore new culinary frontiers, Chef Uche remains steadfast in delivering unforgettable dining experiences that celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of African cuisine.
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