Some stories begin in five-star kitchens; Ify Mogekwu started in her home kitchen. From sharing everyday recipes with her growing online community to crafting culinary experiences for one of Lagos’s most luxurious restaurant lounges, Ify’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to fuse traditional Nigerian flavours with a refined, modern twist has made her a standout name in Nigeria’s food space, and now, she’s taking that brilliance to new heights.
In her latest role as culinary consultant for the newly relaunched Zaza Lagos, one of the city’s most luxurious restaurant lounges. Known for its stylish ambience and upscale nightlife, Zaza is entering a fresh new culinary direction, one that boldly captures the vibrant soul of Lagos on a plate, led by Ify’s visionary approach.
To bring this vision to life, Ify worked closely with the Zaza team to design a brand-new menu that doesn’t just taste good, it tells a story. She developed six unforgettable, flavour-rich dishes, each one inspired by the bold, vibrant soul of Lagos and thoughtfully crafted to elevate the entire dining experience.
From recording simple kitchen recipes at home to leading restaurant experiences in one of Lagos’s top spots, she is redefining what it means to build a food-creator brand in today’s world.
Her role was about more than recipe development; she was tasked with transforming Zaza’s luxury and sophistication into an experience guests could taste and feel.
At the centre of this collaboration is a woman whose love for food has become her life’s work; a storyteller, innovator, and consultant using food to create something unforgettable
