Considering her masterful blend of traditional African flavors with global culinary trends, amid exciting international cooking techniques, Chef Amaka, a Nigerian-born chef, has become a culinary powerhouse.
Born as Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba, the multidimensional culinary authority, is more than a chef; she is a holistic wellness advocate and a leader in the culinary arts.
Her rich and industry-wide experience speaks volumes on her career, including executive leadership. She serves as the executive chef at Dish L’Afrique and is the current president of the Culinary Arts Practitioners Association (CAPA).
She is also grounded in wellness offerings as a pioneer. Chef Amaka is also a culinary nutritionist and founder of Body and Mind (BAM) Wellness; a community dedicated to empowering women living with PCOS through holistic support and social wellness.
She is also a cultural curator and the visionary behind “Chow with Amaka,” an annual immersive culinary experience, and the “Uncommon Food Tour,” which highlights rare and underappreciated Nigerian ingredients and meals across the country.
Interestingly, her culinary philosophy centers on celebrating the continent’s heritage while enhancing taste and texture through innovation. By creating engaging content focused on healthy living and hospitality, she inspires a global audience to embrace nutritious, flavorful, and culturally authentic meals.
Chef Amaka is also in the digital space and commands a massive footprint of over two million across multiple platforms, making her a formidable partner for high-level brand collaborations.
With all the above going for her, the Continental Hotels Group, operators of Lagos Continental Hotel and Abuja Continental Hotel, recently announced the appointment of Chef Amaka as Brand Ambassador for Continental Hotels in Nigeria.
The landmark partnership marks the beginning of a transformative era, as the group stakes its claim as the definitive home of Nigerian culinary excellence.
Under the theme “The Architect of Excellence,” Chef Amaka will lead a structural reimagining of the group’s Nigerian/African culinary journey.
This is not merely a partnership; it is a design project where Chef Amaka will serve as the lead visionary, integrating ancestral Nigerian flavors with the sophisticated, 5-star standards for which Continental Hotels Group is renowned for. Speaking on the appointment, Christoph Schleissing, general manager, Lagos Continental Hotel commented: “We are excited to welcome Chef Amaka as our Brand Ambassador. Her innovative approach to Nigerian cuisine perfectly complements our commitment to luxury hospitality. Together, we will create memorable dining experiences that honor Nigerian traditions while delivering international sophistication. This partnership is about building excellence—one event, one dish, and one story at a time.”
The appointment of Chef Amaka as brand ambassador, according to the general manager, is in line with Continental Hotels Group’s vision to become the global home of Nigerian culinary excellence.
He expressed excitement at Chef Amaka starting with the hotel’s special Valentine’s Day dinner on February 14, 2026, while assuring that she would be delivering more throughout the year.
Expressing her vision, Chef Amaka said: “Nigerian food is a complex architecture of history, spice, and soul”.
Narrowing it down to the Continental Hotels Group’s recent appointment, she explained that her mission with the group is to collaborate with the culinary team to create sensory experiences that honor Nigerian/African heritage, while meeting the demands of the modern, global palate. “We are building the future of African dining, one plate at a time,” Chef Amaka enthused.
In view of the appointment and partnership, Chef Amaka will over the next 12 months, roll out a series of exclusive “Culinary Blueprints,” including; signature dining events she curated, and masterclass series for upcoming chefs and hospitality professionals; community engagements and more.
However, the partnership kicked off on a successful note with the inaugural Valentine’s Day dinner at Lagos Continental Hotel on February 14, 2026, where lovebirds and other diners explored Chef Amaka’s handcrafted 5-course Nigerian gourmet, amid exchanges with the chef.
On her part, Chef Amaka, the queen of Afro-fusion, invites lovers of experiential culinary offerings and fine dining to always pop in for a taste, while also promising more excitement for the guests throughout the partnership period.
