Ekiti-born Nigerian chef, Damilola Adeparusi, widely known as Chef Dammy, has reached an important milestone in her culinary journey after graduating from the Hospitality Business School (HBS) in Lagos.
The chef, who rose to national prominence during her cook-a-thon attempt in June 2023, completed a Professional Culinary Art Chef diploma through a fully funded scholarship. The achievement was confirmed by Horecabb Mentors, the organisation behind the prestigious hospitality school.
Sharing the news on Instagram on Tuesday, Chef Dammy expressed deep pride and gratitude over the accomplishment, describing herself as officially certified in her craft. She praised the institution for its global standing, noting that it is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality schools, the first of its kind in Africa, and ranked among the world’s top ten.
Reflecting on her journey, the young chef attributed her success to divine grace and the support she received along the way. She extended heartfelt appreciation to the school, her sponsors, supporters, and the country, while also celebrating herself for staying the course.
Earlier in February 2025, Chef Dammy had shared her excitement about resuming classes, posting photos of herself in her chef’s uniform for the first time. She described the moment as both thrilling and overwhelming, recalling how compliments from fellow students made her shyly retreat to her hostel, where she took selfies and laughed over the experience.
Chef Dammy also acknowledged key individuals and institutions that played a role in her enrolment, including popular food entrepreneur Oluwatobi Fletcher, known as Ofadaboy; the HBS Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mekwuye Eric; and the Ekiti State Government.
According to Dr. Eric, the scholarship initiative—backed by HBS, Ofadaboy, the Ekiti State Government, and supported by First Lady Yemi Oyebanji—goes beyond basic training. Beneficiaries are offered five additional courses designed to equip them with the skills needed to become well-rounded, industry-ready chefs.
