Meet Chef Eyinju: Nigeria's Rising Star Bringing Art, Love, and Flavour to Every Plate

 

By Olumide Labulo 

If there’s one person who understands that food is not just fuel but a love language, it’s Olajuwon Dorcas Olayinka, better known in the bustling Lagos culinary scene as Chef Eyinju. From transforming humble ingredients into edible masterpieces to catering for A-list celebrities and large-scale events, this vibrant chef is making waves—and plenty of delicious aromas—under her thriving brand, TreatsbyEyinju.

Her journey from Lagos kitchen floors to culinary floor shows reveal that Chef Eyinju’s love affair with cooking began before she could even spell “bulabalooo". Lol. Growing up as the only girl in her family, the kitchen naturally became her domain. But don’t mistake her journey for the typical girl-in-the-kitchen story. For young Eyinju, like the Biblical David, cooking quickly evolved from a family expectation into a passion that sparked creativity and self-expression.

“I realized early on that cooking wasn’t just a duty, it was my thing,” she recalls. “I’d be experimenting with meals, mixing spices my mum never thought could be friends. Sometimes, I ended up creating magic. Other times… let’s just say the dog in the neighbourhood was my number one customer!”

Luckily, those experiments blossomed into a remarkable culinary calling. Determined to elevate her skills from being a family chef to becoming a culinary professional, Eyinju enrolled in catering and hotel management at a skill acquisition centre. Here, she didn’t just master the art of chopping onions without shedding a tear (an achievement worthy of a standing ovation), but she also learned crucial hospitality, event catering, and business management principles.

“My training was intense. I learned how to balance creativity with the discipline needed in professional kitchens. And trust me, there’s nothing like catering practicals with classmates eyeing your jollof rice like hungry hawks,” she laughs.

But Eyinju didn’t stop there. Eager to broaden her culinary horizons, she further honed her craft at Rent-A-Chef, where she absorbed the fine details of private chef services, premium meal presentation, and the elegant world of fine dining.

“I love private chef gigs. It’s like being a food ninja sneaking into people’s homes and leaving them stunned by a meal they’ll talk about for weeks.”

Armed with passion and professional finesse, Chef Eyinju launched her culinary business, TreatsbyEyinju. If you’re in Lagos and you're  yet to hear that name, your tastebuds are seriously missing out. Under the TreatsbyEyinju brand, Chef Eyinju offers:

(a) Private Chef Services 

Whether you want a romantic dinner for two or an intimate birthday feast, she’ll come to your kitchen, whip up magic, and leave it sparkling clean. Yes, she’s the unicorn chef who doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dirty plates!

(b) Daily Food Orders 

From breakfast that’ll give your day wings to lunch that keeps your hustle strong, to dinners that soothe the Lagos traffic stress, TreatsbyEyinju ensures delicious meals are delivered to your doorstep.

(c) Food Packaging and Storage Solutions 

She doesn’t just cook; she packages your meals beautifully and ensures they stay fresh longer. Because even your freezer deserves a glow-up.

Chef Eyinju’s reputation for excellence has attracted clients across the spectrum, including a few notable celebrities. One of her proudest moments was impressing the celebrated culinary queen herself, Chef Hilda.

“Hilda is an inspiration, so having her enjoy my food felt like passing the ultimate chef exam!” says Eyinju.

Her clients’ testimonials are as delicious as her dishes. One happy customer gushed, “I was scared at first because it was our first time working together, but I was blown away! You delivered perfectly.”

Another highlight in Chef Eyinju’s growing portfolio was successfully catering an event for 150 guests, managing everything from menu curation to on-site service and staff coordination. If you’ve ever tried cooking for more than five Nigerians, each with their own spice tolerance, you’d understand that this feat deserves not just an applause, but a chef’s hat embroidered in gold.

Ask Chef Eyinju what fuels her most, and the answer isn’t just butter and garlic. It’s connection: "I love seeing people’s reactions when they taste my food. Food connects us, heals us, and brings joy. It’s not just about eating, it’s about creating memories,” she shares.

And in a fast-paced city like Lagos, where the hustle is real and the traffic could inspire its own horror film, Chef Eyinju’s meals have become a haven of comfort and pleasure.

As Chef Eyinju's brand, TreatsbyEyinju, is fast becoming synonymous with quality, flavour, and impeccable service, I just wonder what's next. First, I think expansion is definitely on the table. Something like having a boutique kitchen studio for cooking classes, and then having a signature spice blend (brand), and maybe  starring in her own cooking show or movie. What do you think? Anyways, for now, Chef Eyinju is content building her clientele and spreading joy—one perfectly plated dish at a time.

Feeling hungry already? Abi you just want to change your survival tactics or want your next event to be the talk of the town or just want to eat confirmed bottom-pot jollof that makes you question your life choices? Connect with Chef Eyinju:

Phone: 07043495020, 08108230290

Walahi, you life won't be the same again!