Chef Amaka promotes African cuisine, wellness, and culture through afro-fusion cooking, media, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba, popularly known as Chef Amaka, has established a name that now comfortably sits at the intersection of food, wellness, and culture. A Nigerian Afro-Fusion chef, entrepreneur, and TV host, she has become an influential culinary voice in Nigeria, helping to shape the global narrative around the African cuisine.
Today, she is the founder and CEO of Dish L’Afrique, Chow With Amaka, and Body and Mind Lifestyle (BAM), while also serving as President of the Culinary Arts Practitioners Association Nigeria (CAPA).
Building a brand around afro-fusion
Chef Amaka’s story began far from the studio lights and event kitchens where she now thrives. Between 2012 and 2014, she studied Economics at the University of Lagos, where she supported herself through school, taking side gigs in modelling, event and working in hospitality. After graduating in 2014, she began to transition fully to culinary content creation, driven by curiosity and necessity.
It was during this period that she started learning, experimenting with recipes, and documenting her early creations. In 2018, Chef Amaka’s creative talent caught the attention of producers who invited her to host a television segment. The following year, she became the host of In My Kitchen, a food show on RAVE TV Channel, which introduced her to a wider audience.
Around the same time, she began to grow her presence on social media, especially on Instagram and Twitter, where her following now exceeds 271,000. She used these platforms to share recipes, promote Nigerian ingredients, and discuss the importance of food in preserving African identity. By 2020, her brand had evolved into a full-fledged culinary enterprise.
Through her company, Dish L’Afrique, she built an Afro-Fusion culinary brand that creates traditional Nigerian ingredients with creative twists – like egusi cake and cheesy rice balls infused with iru.
In 2021, she launched Chow With Amaka, an immersive dining experience that celebrates African cuisine through curated, multi-course events. Each edition attracted more sponsors and participants, transforming the series into one of the country’s recognisable culinary showcases.
Turning food into wellness
In 2022, Chef Amaka publicly shared her health journey after successfully reversing the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through lifestyle and dietary changes. This experience inspired the creation of Body and Mind Lifestyle (BAM), a wellness brand that integrates nutrition, mindfulness, and African-inspired healthy living. Through BAM, she advocates for intentional eating and health-conscious habits that still incorporate African flavours.
Leading a culinary movement
By 2024, her influence had extended beyond her personal ventures. She became the President of the Culinary Arts Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAPA), leading initiatives to professionalise the culinary industry, promote Nigerian ingredients, and empower local chefs. Under her leadership, she has worked with hotels, sponsors, and farmers to promote sustainable farming, sack planting, and culinary tourism. Her outreach programs also support widows and children in need.
Today, Chef Amaka’s impact is visible across Nigeria’s evolving food space. Her vision is to see African cuisine recognised globally for its complexity, beauty, and health potential.
