Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiké Osinubi
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When COVID-19 shutdown slowed the globe, I practiced cooking in the kitchen. I fell in love with cooking in those quiet, uncertain days. I was raised on rich, lively Nigerian food. Spice, tenderness, and a love of food unite our culture. As much as I love Nigerian food, I’ve always been fascinated by other flavors. I adore blending cuisines to create new and familiar foods. I love the “meat pie egg roll with suya dipping sauce.” It combines the savory flavor of a Nigerian meat pie with the crispy dough of an Asian egg roll. A dish that blends cultures on a plate is something I love to cook. My love language is cooking. I feel obligated to feed guests. Nothing beats seeing someone’s face light up as they take a bite or hearing their response. These moments feed my kitchen creativity and passion. Kiké’s Kitchen was born spontaneously and unintentionally. In March 2024, my best friend suggested I create a menu and cater her song release party. Sharing my food with others made me anxious but excited. The response was very positive and humbling. The event’s positive reception led me to create Kiké’s Kitchen the same week. Since then, I’ve gotten unimaginable love and support. The soul food bowl—mac n cheese, chicken wings, cornbread muffins, and greens—is a favorite. It’s comfort food at its best and our greatest seller. Naija bowls with jollof rice, chicken or beef suya, and sweet plantains are also popular. Each $20 plate includes a drink, I never imagined having my own food business making people’s favorite foods. Kiké’s Kitchen celebrates culture, creativity, and the joy of sharing wonderful cuisine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been surprisingly fulfilling after opening Kiké’s Kitchen in March! Since launching my business, I’ve received incredible support and affection. I didn’t expect such a positive community response. Besides my other obligations, I run Kiké’s Kitchen part-time. This makes consistency one of my major concerns. Managing several tasks while keeping my kitchen creative and high-quality is difficult. I’m stretched sometimes, but sharing my cooking makes me happy. Growing my business organically was a learning curve. I’ve learned that growth isn’t always linear, especially when balanced with other life goals. This method has also helped me reconnect with my passion for cooking and guarantee that every dish I serve is filled with love and creativity. Despite the challenges, working part-time lets me put more into each meal and contact. My devotion to honoring and sharing Nigerian tastes in new ways shows in every occasion I prepare. Every comment and smile from a delighted customer fuels my passion and keeps me going on this unexpected journey. I established Kiké’s Kitchen to promote joy via food, and these experiences remind me why. I learn and adapt to keep Kiké’s Kitchen a reflection of myself and my passion for Nigerian cuisine. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities and ready to greet whatever comes with open arms and a ready kitchen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Kiké’s Kitchen is a culinary expression of my passion for blending Nigerian flavors with global influences, creating a vibrant fusion that delights and connects people through food. My mission is to introduce the rich, bold tastes of Nigerian street food to a broader audience, offering dishes that tell a story and celebrate cultural diversity. The vision for Kiké’s Kitchen is to become a gathering place where food not only tantalizes the taste buds but also bridges cultural gaps, fostering a community of food lovers who appreciate the transformative power of a shared meal.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Today, I oversee my own food business, which would surprise you if you knew me growing up. I hated cooking the most then. From age 11, my mom and aunties would take me into the kitchen, and I thought, “Why am I here?” Never made sense to me. I didn’t like cooking and would rather have done something else. This memory makes me giggle when I share it with my close friends and family since it’s so different from me now. I love and enjoy cooking now. Funny how life works—the kitchen is my sanctuary. What was once a hassle is now a creative outlet. I’ve learned that food can bridge civilizations. It links people on a fundamental level, which was mind-blowing for someone who avoided the kitchen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kike.kitchen/
Image Credits
Instagram: @_saintphoto ( Katy St. John)
