10 minutes With Chris U Aguocha Esq…(Magical Jollof Rice and Plantain)

In the Western world, Nigerian Chefs are working hard to show case Nigerian food. Not only that, there are caterers and Nigerian restaurant owners catering to the needs of Nigerians who aren’t able to cook our local foods in their homes or people who just want to enjoy a good Nigerian meal without the prep and stress work.

I had the opportunity of talking to a good friend about the subject matter. And if there is anyone to talk to about Nigerian food in the USA, it is the avid foodie Mr. Chris Aguocha. Esq. Sometimes, it’s just better to look through the eyes of the Nigerian consumer when it comes to our food. Consumers who attend a lot of Nigerian parties and often visit Nigerian restaurants are even more important. These consumers help the Chefs tell their stories.

The thing is that, we have to do more than being mediocre when it comes to presenting our foods. and the running of our restaurants. When it comes to the Nigerian consumer, we must be open to try new things and when it comes to the Chefs we must understand how to sell our delicacies and in the right environment. I remember posting a photo of an already prepped canned stew/Jollof sauce base on social media a while ago and I asked a question wanting to know if Nigerians would buy the sauce to use as a short cut to making their stews and Jollof base. We all know how much prep work goes into even the simplest of Nigerian foods. The answers I got were very discouraging. Although it came from Chefs who would rather make theirs, we have to understand that our attitude to our Nigerian food reflects to others who judge these behavior in their decision making on whether to try Nigerian food or not. I’m not saying that making your own sauce is mediocre, I’m saying we must show support to our own who try to make these easy short cuts for us. Our attitude to our food works a great deal for or against us.

Just as the Westerners are comfortable eating and making Asian and Indian foods; even in their homes, it should even be easier for them to explore with Nigerian food. The way the Nigerian Chefs and consumers tell our stories through our food is ultimately important. I would love to see mainstream American food bloggers write about Nigerian food; and not only that, I would love to see them make some…

Mr. Chris, a friend is also a practicing Lawyer in the United States. He owns a law firm at oaulaw.com . A well known lawyer and Nigerian socialite with a foundation in Nigeria, he graduated from Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria with a Bachelor of Laws LL.B. (Honors), 1992 and with a Masters in international law and Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University NewYork; with Law licenses from NewYork, Conneticut, and District of Columbia. And in the interview below, we talked mildy about the growth of Nigerian food in the US food industry.

I have had in depth conversations about Nigerian food with Mr. Chris and his passion to see Nigerian Chefs promote Nigerian food; even as one who doesn’t cook much is very obvious.

Apart from being a foodie, Mr. Chris is a dear friend who has helped me tell my stories through my writing.

I have met people in my life, people who have been there and encouraged/helped me heal and his friendship is significant to me. When I’m comfortable discussing my passion with you, it means you are special to me. And when it comes to my passion, Mr. Chris is 100% in and I think it’s because it has something to do with food(tongue out). Who no like better thing? Here’s to friendship 🙂

So, if you want to know more about this awesome dude and his opinion about Nigerian food in the USA, continue reading below 🙂

Nigerialazychef: You’re a lawyer. Where are you from?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Yes, I am a lawyer with over 23 year of experience. I am originally from Nigeria.”

Nigerianlazychef:  How do you balance your real life, and being a lawyer?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “It’s simple. I work when I work and play when I play.”

Nigerianlazychef:  You’re an obvious foodie. What’s your favorite food and how often do you get to cook/eat it?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “A foodie no doubt, but I don’t live to eat. My favorite foods are Rice and Eba. My very tight schedules don’t let me cook them as                                         often as I would like. I love to cook though…”

nigerianlazychef:” What is your opinion about Nigerian food in the USA?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Nigerian foods are great but we don’t appreciate how great and rich they are and as a result, we don’t take much pride in                                               cooking and eating them here in the USA.”
Nigerianlazychef: When it comes to the social scene in the US, do you think we do enough with our food…with the presentation?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Nope!”

Nigerianlazychef: What is your opinion about Nigerian restaurants in the US?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “They are under performing and not doing enough to push Nigerian foods into the mainstream American palates. If only they                                        know how magical our Jollof rice with fried plantain could be…”

Nigerianlazychef: Do you think enough people have heard about Nigerian food in the US?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Nope!”

Nigerianlazychef: How can we impact the US with our food?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Take it mainstream. Be proud to showcase them and introduce them to the palates of non-Nigerians.”

Nigerianlazychef: Please share with us one thing we don’t know about you.
Chris aguocha Esq: “I am very domesticated and my culinary prowess is top-notch.”

Nigerianlazychef:  What advice will you give to me and others who are pursuing their passion; mine being food?
Chris Aguocha Esq: “Stay true to your passion and never stop perfecting your craft.”

There you have it. A candid interview. What’s your opinion about Nigerian food in whatever part of the world you live in?

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