Lawyer and chef, Ope Tejuoso, has disclosed that her commitment and desire to follow her instinct is the reason she became creative director of Opindos Bakery and The Muse Academy.
Speaking recently at the launch of Opindos outlet Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, the daughter of the late former Governor Gbolahan Mudashiru of Lagos State revealed that she had developed a passion for cooking long before she thought of studying law.
“Before studying law, I enjoyed cooking. As the only girl in the family, I had a whole lot of opportunities to do the cooking. I remember baking cakes for my friends’ birthday in my secondary school days at Queen’s College. I cooked for my brothers during their parties, cooked for my friends at school,” she said.
She went on to reveal that the desire for cooking was instilled in her by her grandmother who was a very good cook adding that her mother is her greatest influence.
“As early as age six, my grandmother drafted me into the kitchen and by my 13th birthday, I was already a mini-chef. I was still very active in the kitchen throughout my school years at the University of Lagos while studying law.
“My mum is responsible for everything I am today. My mum did not spoil us but made sure we were grounded in domestic chores. She always said she would be the last person to train other people’s children- house helps, and have useless children. Hence, she ensured I swept, cooked and cleaned. Back then, I didn’t know I would be a caterer. I thank my mum for the upbringing that I had because you cannot be a caterer and just sit there and be giving command; you have to be able to do it yourself,” she said.
When asked why she switched from Law to catering, she added, “My journey into catering began several years ago, while still at the university. Actually, it was born out of one of the strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities-ASUU when universities were closed. This prompted my friends and I to look for something else to do. We started going for cooking classes, computer classes and some others, basically to keep us busy. Back at school after the strike, I still took up cooking jobs. That was how the business started informally. I started saving and buying one equipment after the other. This was when my first company, Opindos Limited, was born. Opindos later gave birth to The Muse.”
Ope, as she is fondly called, noted that all her businesses are related to food. “I have a sewing outfit that does uniforms, overalls and simple clothing for the kitchen,” she said.
And what are her high points as a food vendor? She responds: “My 21st birthday cake got me three orders. Baking a birthday cake for a former president and organizing breakfast for the Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference were all referral jobs and high points. Referral jobs gladden my heart.”
Talking about the Muse Academy, she says, “It is a total package for everyone, though we started with brides who are set to settle down in marriage before we added the demonstration class for children to catch them young. I develop recipes and curriculum for the Creative Kitchen classes.”
It is noteworthy that she did not really plan to be a chef and baker as she explained: “As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. When I grew a little older, I realised teaching was not meant for me. But somehow, I have now found joy in teaching because I do it in my comfort zone.”
