Serial Nigerian entrepreneur and celebrity chef, Dr Tumininu Olaniyi, aka Chef T recently shared a conversation with OSG about her journey as a recognized food vendor and successful businesswoman.
During the conversation, the Evidence Queen spoke about her family background and what it was like growing up in a family of five and being the only girl.
She also talked about her business and how it all started. Chef also shared some inspiring words for young people who intend to start a business and what they need to know.
READ ALSO: Wumi Toriola Calls Out Food Influencer, Chef T, Slams Her for Snubbing Her DM, Shares Screenshots
Her advice had a special bias towards young food entrepreneurs who intend to follow her steps into the “chow” world.
Below are excerpts from our conversation with Dr Tumininu Olaniyi.
Background and how she became a food vendor
During the conversation, Chef shared how Home of Tasty Meals started.
“Home of Tasty Meals started from a place of passion. I’m Dr. Tumininu Olaniyi, but people fondly call me Chef T, The Evidence Queen!
As the only girl in a family of five, I’ve always stood out. What began as a joke soon turned serious when I saw the amazing feedback on my meals. I asked God for guidance, and He said, ‘This is your lane.’ So I pushed forward, turned passion into profit, and here we are today.”
“My biggest challenges as a food vendor” – Dr Tumininu Olaniyi shares
Chef T noted while we spoke that things were not always rosy for her business. The Evidence Queen revealed some of her biggest challenges and how she dealt with them:
“Starting Home of Tasty Meals came with its fair share of challenges. First, gaining trust and visibility was tough, I had to prove that my meals were not just tasty but consistently premium.”
She further shared how supply chain issues and maintaining the quality of her food was a major problem. She said:
“I also faced supply chain issues, ensuring fresh ingredients at all times while maintaining quality.
Another major challenge was balancing pricing, and offering premium meals while making them worth every penny for customers. And of course, like any business, managing operations, deliveries, and customer expectations requires strategic structuring.”
Tumininu Olaniyi revealed how she overcame her biggest challenges:
“How did I overcome them? Consistency, listening to feedback, and staying true to my brand values. I refused to cut corners, focused on quality, and built a brand that speaks for itself. Today, #HomeOfTastyMeals stands strong because of those lessons.”
Scaling my business and having a footprint in Abuja
After discussing some of the biggest challenges she faced in the early days of her business, she went on to reveal the next problematic thing on her agenda as she seeks to open new branches across the country:
“Right now, my biggest challenge is scaling while maintaining the premium quality that defines Home of Tasty Meals. Growth is exciting, but ensuring that every meal still delivers the same taste, freshness, and experience takes intentional effort. Expanding operations, managing logistics, and keeping up with increasing demand, especially with clients abroad, requires strategic planning.”
The Evidence Queen also shared during our discussion one of her biggest motivations that keeps her going:
“What keeps me going? Impact. The testimonials, the lives I touch through food, and the mentees who look up to me. Knowing that my journey inspires others to turn passion into profit fuels my drive. Plus, God already told me this is my lane, so there’s no stopping.”
Knowing our target audience and operational target is primary – Dr Tumininu Olaniyi
Home of Tasty Meals operates on a premium food service model, offering high-quality, fresh, and authentically prepared meals with a strong emphasis on consistency and customer satisfaction. We cater to both individual and corporate clients, ensuring convenience through bulk orders, same-day delivery, and a seamless ordering process via WhatsApp & our website.
READ ALSO: “Thank You for Reaching Out”: Lady Who Called Out Hilda Baci’s Restaurant Gets N50k Food Voucher
“Our target audience includes busy professionals, high-net-worth individuals, and food lovers, especially those in the diaspora, who crave authentic, home-cooked African meals without compromising on quality. We also serve corporate organizations looking for premium meal options for their staff and events. Our focus is on delivering a luxury food experience, not just a meal.”
One piece of advice every entrepreneur must know
While sharing how she had been able to build her business, Chef T shared important advice that every entrepreneur must know, learn and live by:
“Every entrepreneur should master adaptability, the ability to pivot, learn, and adjust when things don’t go as planned. Business is unpredictable; markets change, customer preferences evolve, and challenges arise. The ones who succeed are those who can think on their feet, embrace feedback, and continuously innovate.
For me, adaptability has been key in scaling Home of Tasty Meals while maintaining quality. When obstacles come, I don’t panic, I strategize. That mindset is what keeps a business alive and thriving.“
“5 Lessons entrepreneurship has taught me” – Chef Tumininu Olaniyi
Entrepreneurship has taught me a lot, but here are some key lessons that stand out:
1. Consistency is everything – There’s no magic to success; showing up daily, delivering quality, and maintaining standards make all the difference.
2. Customer satisfaction is the real currency, happy customers become repeat customers, and their referrals are more powerful than any ad.
3. Never stop learning – The business world evolves, and staying relevant means constantly upgrading knowledge, networking, and seeking mentorship.
4. Challenges are part of the process – Every setback has been a lesson in disguise. Instead of dwelling on problems, I focus on solutions.
5. Build a brand, not just a business – A strong brand speaks for itself. People should associate my name with excellence even before tasting my meals.
Through it all, faith, strategy, and hard work have been my winning formula.
Tumininu Olaniyi shares some of her achievements and significant milestones
Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey and the milestones Home of Tasty Meals has achieved. Some of the most significant ones include:
1. Building a Recognized Premium Food Brand – What started as a passion project has grown into a well-known brand, trusted for quality and authenticity.
2. Expanding Beyond Lagos – Taking Home of Tasty Meals to Abuja for Easter was a major step in scaling and reaching more clients.
3. Corporate Partnerships & Recognition – Serving meals at Samsung and receiving great feedback from their CFO reinforced the impact of our brand.
4. Becoming a Mentor & Industry Voice – Through ‘Mentorship with Chef T,’ I’ve helped many food business owners structure and scale their businesses. Seeing them grow is a huge win.
5. Global Recognition – Being nominated as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year at The Global Entrepreneurship Festival Africa was a proud moment.
6. Personal Growth & Education – Graduating from Lagos Business School and becoming Dr. Tumininu Olaniyi has equipped me with even more knowledge to lead and grow.
Every achievement is proof that passion, hard work, and faith always pay off.
Advice for young up-and-coming entrepreneur
To aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria, especially those in the food business, here’s my advice:
1. Start with passion, but structure with strategy – Passion will get you started, but a solid business structure will keep you going. Learn about cost management, customer service, and operations early on.
2. Consistency is key – There’s no shortcut to success. Keep delivering quality, stay true to your brand, and build a reputation that speaks for itself.
3. Leverage mentorship and networking – Learning from those ahead of you can save you years of trial and error. Seek mentorship, join business networks, and connect with industry leaders.
4. Customer experience is everything – Happy customers become your best marketers. Prioritize quality, professionalism, and seamless service.
5. Embrace challenges as part of the journey – Business in Nigeria isn’t easy, but resilience and adaptability will set you apart. Find solutions, not excuses.
6. Pray, plan, and push! – Ask God for direction, make strategic plans, and don’t stop pushing forward. Your business can thrive if you put in the work.
Leave a Reply