Though this year’s Hilda Baci Academy End-of-Year/Prize-giving Ceremony for the “Home to Pro Christmas Cooking Class,” might have come and gone, but it left sweet memories that will linger for years on the graduating students.

With over 5,000 students graduating from the academy since inception three years ago, this year, more than 500 students completed the transformative programme.

The event featured live culinary demonstrations, panel discussion, expert presentations, performances and interactive cooking games.

The panel discussion was moderated by Riyah Abdul and Illooise Omonhinmin, with Hilda Baci, alongside the class instructors; Gbolabo Adebakin, also known as Chef Gibbs, Nelson Micheal, also known as Chef Cupid, and Mbadike Chioma Katherine founder of Chumpe’s pot, discussed the theme: “Turning Passion Into Plates: Building a Successful Culinary Career.”

Toyosi Alabi, Partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, spoke on “From Startup to Scale-Up: How Legal Representation Drives Business Longevity.” Emmanuel Unimke Alasa provided insight on “Mastering Business Finances: Tax Laws, Revenue Calculation, and Bookkeeping Basics.” Nowe Isibor Segun-Ojo closed the session with her presentation on, “Starting Small, Thinking Big: Applying Big Brand Principles to Your Early Journey.”

Reflecting on the academy’s achievements, Hilda Baci, said: “Our goal at the academy is to create a community where individuals feel empowered to grow beyond their current position. We aim to reach more people and provide the tools to scale their culinary dreams.”

Outstanding students got scholarships, culinary tools, and cash prizes, courtesy of event partners, Gino, Bama, Viva Detergent, Aquafina and My food by Hilda Reatuarant. Among the biggest winners were Olanike Eunice, who won a cash prize of N10m and Omonemu Oghenemaga that got a brand new car. Other students won N1m, camera gadgets, iPads, cooking equipments, laptops, smartphones, and a year supply of Gino, Aquafina and Viva Detergent.