MAGGI says it reached 19,670 women across five South-East states through its 2026 August Meeting engagement, combining community gatherings with cooking activities and practical nutrition sessions.

The initiative involved 30 women’s associations and five market activations, with the brand describing it as its largest August Meeting engagement to date.

The annual August Meeting brings women from communities across the South-East together to discuss family and community issues while maintaining social and cultural connections.

For MAGGI, this year’s participation went beyond sponsorship of the gatherings, with activities focused on food preparation, nutrition and community interaction.

Taking nutrition conversations to community gatherings

Nutrition sessions formed part of the activities organised during the meetings, with discussions centred on making nutritious food choices within household budgets.

Participants were introduced to issues including balanced and diverse diets, the importance of micronutrients such as iron, and practical considerations for planning family meals.

The sessions also discussed fortified foods as part of a varied diet, including MAGGI products fortified with iron.

The approach placed food and nutrition alongside the social activities traditionally associated with August Meeting.

“August Meeting is a powerful expression of the role women play in strengthening families, preserving traditions and driving progress in their communities.”

Funmi Osineye, Category Manager, Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, said the gatherings also provided an opportunity for women to learn from one another and share experiences.

“ For MAGGI, being part of this enduring tradition is especially meaningful as we mark 60 years in Nigeria,” she said.

Osineye added that the engagement was intended to bring together culinary inspiration, practical nutrition knowledge and the shared experience of food and community.

Cooking, competitions bring another dimension

Food remained central to the activities, with culinary sessions introducing new approaches to familiar meals.

Cooking competitions also gave participants an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and creativity, while receptions featured music, gifts and appearances by actresses Ruby Ojiakor, Blessing Obasi and Blessing Onwukwe.

All three entertainers are from the South-East and participated in celebrations across the region.

Onwukwe, who attended events in Enugu and Ebonyi states, described the experience as an opportunity to connect with the celebrations in both locations.

“Joining the 2026 August Meeting celebrations in Enugu and Ebonyi States was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed every moment and am truly glad to have had the opportunity to be part of the celebrations in both states,” she said.

What participants said

For some participants, the combination of food, entertainment and gifts was an important part of the experience.

Christianna Nwibo, an executive of the Catholic Women Organization in Nwofe, Ebonyi State, said the group enjoyed the activities.

“We really enjoyed the MAGGI experience at our August Meeting. The food was delicious, the gifts were wonderful, and we had such a good time,” she said.

The engagement more than doubled the number of participants reached by MAGGI through the previous year’s August Meeting activities, according to the company.

Why the August Meeting matters

August Meeting has remained an important community platform for women in the South-East, combining discussions around family and community concerns with cultural and social activities.

Its reach provides companies and other organisations with an avenue to engage directly with communities, particularly around issues connected to everyday life.

For MAGGI, the 2026 programme also comes as the brand marks 60 years in Nigeria.

Nestlé Nigeria said its relationship with Nigerian consumers has evolved through different forms of engagement, with women remaining an important part of its connection with households and communities.

The company said the August Meeting activities represent one part of its effort to remain connected to existing consumers while engaging younger generations.

By the numbers

– 19,670: Women reached across the South-East

– 5: States covered

– 30: Women’s associations involved

– 5: Market activations held

– 60 years: MAGGI’s presence in Nigeria

What to watch

The 2026 engagement highlights the growing intersection between traditional community platforms, food culture and consumer education.

For participants, the immediate focus was on the gatherings themselves. For brands such as MAGGI, such platforms also provide opportunities to maintain direct relationships with consumers beyond conventional advertising.

More than 1,500 food lovers, chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs and entertainment enthusiasts are expected to gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the fourth edition of Ibadanchops’N’Chill.

The organisers said between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend the culinary, entertainment and lifestyle festival, which is aimed at promoting Nigerian food culture and providing young chefs with opportunities to showcase their skills.

The event will be held under the theme, “Empowering Young Chefs, Celebrating Nigerian Flavours.”

According to the convener, Chinwendu Fetus, popularly known as Chef Wendy, the festival will combine culinary competitions, live music, networking and lifestyle activities.

Young chefs take centre stage

A major part of the festival will be a culinary competition involving emerging chefs.

Chef Amaka, Chef Dee and Chef T are expected to serve as judges, assessing contestants while sharing their professional knowledge and experience.

Chef Wendy said the competition was designed to encourage creativity and confidence among young chefs while giving them exposure to audiences and established professionals in the food and hospitality industry.

She said the festival would also enable food entrepreneurs and other participants to establish connections with potential customers and industry players.

Taye Currency to headline entertainment

The event will also feature live entertainment, with Fuji musician Alhaji Taye Currency expected to headline the musical segment.

The organisers said the performance would complement the food-focused activities and broader lifestyle experience planned for attendees.

Beyond the entertainment, the festival is expected to bring together chefs, food entrepreneurs, creatives, influencers, media personalities and members of the public.

Why the festival matters

Nigeria’s food and hospitality sector provides opportunities for young entrepreneurs, chefs and creatives, but gaining visibility and access to established industry networks can remain a challenge for emerging talents.

The organisers say Ibadanchops’N’Chill is intended to bridge part of that gap by creating a public platform where young culinary talents can demonstrate their abilities and interact with potential customers and professionals.

Chef Wendy, who founded Wendy’s Kitchen and Wendy’s Culinary Hub, said her experience in the culinary industry influenced her decision to create a platform focused on food creativity and opportunities for young chefs.

She said the festival was conceived to bring different parts of the culinary and creative industries together while showcasing the diversity of Nigerian food.

Networking, food and culture

In addition to the competition and entertainment, the event will provide opportunities for networking, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Participants are expected to include chefs, food entrepreneurs, creatives, influencers, media personalities and members of the public.

The organisers said the festival would put Nigerian flavours and culinary creativity at the centre of the experience while giving emerging talents an opportunity to connect with a wider audience.

Chef Wendy has urged food lovers, chefs, creatives, industry stakeholders, media organisations and members of the public to attend and support the participating young chefs.

What to expect

Attendees can expect:

– A culinary competition featuring emerging chefs

– Judging by experienced food professionals

– Live Fuji performance by Taye Currency

– Food and lifestyle experiences

– Networking among chefs, entrepreneurs and creatives

– Opportunities for young culinary talents to gain public exposure

French chef Jean-Baptiste Ascione has made his first visit to Nigeria, describing the country as vibrant and full of “happy, smiling people”, a sharp contrast, he says, to the more reserved atmosphere of Paris.

Speaking during a cooking masterclass in Lagos, Ascione shared insights into his culinary philosophy, career journey, and the growing global shift toward simplicity in fine dining.

A First Impression of Nigeria

Ascione said his arrival in Nigeria left a strong personal impression.

“It’s my first time here, and what stands out is how happy people are always smiling. It’s very different from Paris.”

His visit coincided with a well-attended masterclass, where food enthusiasts and industry professionals gathered to experience his approach to modern French cuisine.

From Teenage Kitchens to Global Recognition

The Paris-born chef began cooking at just 13 years old, describing the profession not as a career choice but as his entire life.

“Cooking didn’t change my life—it is my life. I’ve never known anything else.”

He trained in top French kitchens, including La Grande Cascade, before gaining wider recognition through a televised culinary competition in 2015.

Ascione later opened Petit Gris in 2019, a restaurant that reflects his signature philosophy of simplicity, seasonality, and shared dining experiences.

Why Simplicity Is the New Luxury

A Shift in French Cuisine

Ascione is part of a new generation of chefs redefining French gastronomy moving away from elaborate plating toward clarity of flavour and ingredient integrity.

“Today, it’s not about adding more—it’s about doing less, but better.”

At Petit Gris, menus evolve with the seasons, focusing on fresh produce, seafood, and approachable dishes designed for sharing.

Inside the Lagos Masterclass

During the demonstration, Ascione prepared one of his signature dishes: beef tartare with coffee beans and duxelles.

Key Techniques Shared

Beef is marinated in coffee beans for two days to create what he calls “the taste of the smell” of coffee

Mushrooms and onions are finely chopped and cooked slowly in butter to form duxelles

The dish balances bold flavours with minimal ingredients

He emphasised flexibility in cooking:

“Recipes are not fixed. You adapt based on what you have and what you like.”

The Skills That Matter Most

Beyond technique, Ascione stressed that organisation and focus are the most important skills in any kitchen.

“You can learn recipes at 30, 40, even 50. But organisation—you must learn that early.”

He added that managing a kitchen team depends more on structure and discipline than creativity alone.

Cooking Made Simple

When asked about a quick dish anyone can prepare, Ascione pointed to a classic: the tortilla.

“Eggs and potatoes—that’s enough. I make it for my wife on weekends.”

The message, he said, is clear: great food does not need to be complicated.

Industry Reactions

Participants at the masterclass described the session as refreshing, particularly in a food culture often driven by trends and presentation.

Local chefs and culinary enthusiasts noted that Ascione’s emphasis on simplicity and adaptability resonates strongly in Nigeria, where access to ingredients can vary.

Why It Matters

Ascione’s visit highlights a broader shift in global dining—one that prioritises:

Ingredient quality over complexity

Seasonality over fixed menus

Experience and sharing over formality

For Nigeria’s growing food industry, this approach offers a practical and scalable model for innovation.

What’s Next

Ascione continues to expand his culinary influence through collaborations and community-driven dining concepts, with a focus on making fine dining more accessible.

His Lagos appearance signals increasing international culinary exchange, as Nigeria’s food scene gains global attention.