Registered Nurse (RN), food content creator, entrepreneur, and chef, Aisha Tilde, has revealed that her journey to becoming one of Nigeria’s growing food creators is built on education, resilience, consistency, and an unwavering passion for cooking.
Aisha made this known while appearing as a guest on S24 Insight Abuja, a programme on S24 Television, where she spoke about her career, business journey, the importance of preserving Northern cuisine, and the realities of entrepreneurship.
Introducing herself, Aisha disclosed that she is of Idoma origin but has built a strong connection with Northern Nigeria through her culinary expertise, jokingly describing herself as “a Bauchi girl” because of how well she prepares the popular Northern delicacy, masa.
“I am a chef with two degrees,” she proudly declared.
She explained that before becoming a full-time food content creator, she started her creative career as a photographer. Over time, her passion for cooking overshadowed photography, leading her to fully embrace food content creation and culinary entrepreneurship.
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According to her, cooking has always been more than a hobby—it is a passion that she has deliberately nurtured into a successful career.
Aisha revealed that she holds two university degrees. Her first degree is in Industrial Chemistry, while her second is in Nursing, making her a Registered Nurse (RN).
Despite her academic achievements in science and healthcare, she said her love for food inspired her to pursue a career in the culinary industry.
“I have a degree in Industrial Chemistry and another degree in Nursing, but I followed my passion for cooking. That’s why I proudly say I am a chef with two degrees,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey as a digital creator, Aisha described reaching over one million followers across her social media platforms as one of the biggest milestones of her career.
She said achieving such a large audience remains one of her proudest moments and serves as motivation to continue creating valuable content.
“It is an amazing feeling. Reaching one million followers is something I will never forget because it represents years of consistency and hard work,” she said.
Aisha also stressed the importance of preserving Northern Nigerian cuisine, noting that traditional dishes deserve greater recognition both locally and internationally.
She encouraged chefs and food creators to present indigenous meals in attractive and modern ways without losing their originality.
“Our Northern foods are rich in culture and history. We should preserve them and present them beautifully so more people can appreciate them,” she said.
She advised aspiring chefs to invest time in learning and practicing before showcasing their work publicly.
According to her, mastering culinary skills requires patience, repetition, and continuous improvement.
“Practice is very important. Before presenting your food to the public, make sure you have perfected your craft,” she advised.
Beyond cooking itself, Aisha highlighted packaging as a critical aspect of the food business, explaining that presentation often influences customers’ perception of quality.
She noted that attractive packaging can significantly improve a food brand’s reputation and market value.
She also addressed common misconceptions about chefs, saying many people underestimate the knowledge and effort required in the profession.
According to her, cooking is a science that requires a proper understanding of ingredients, measurements, techniques, and food chemistry.
“People should understand that cooking is not just about mixing ingredients. There is chemistry behind food, and chefs put in a lot of work to achieve the right results,” she explained.
Aisha further encouraged women and young girls to seek knowledge, ask questions, and never stop learning, regardless of their chosen career path.
Speaking about entrepreneurship, the chef acknowledged that many people wrongly assume business owners enjoy instant success and financial comfort.
She explained that behind every successful food business lies years of sacrifice, hard work, financial investment, and perseverance.
“Some people think business owners have everything on a platter of gold. They don’t see the effort, sleepless nights, and sacrifices we make to build our businesses,” she said.
She advised entrepreneurs not to quit whenever they encounter challenges but instead take time to rest and regain their strength.
“If you feel like giving up, take a break. Rest, refresh your mind, and come back stronger. That break can help you revive your passion,” she advised.
Aisha also shared what keeps her motivated during difficult times.
She said the happiness she gets from her pets and the positive feedback from satisfied customers constantly remind her why she continues to push forward.
At the same time, she admitted that the fear of failure remains one of her greatest personal challenges.
Despite this, she said she continually encourages herself to remain kind, trust God’s timing, and appreciate every stage of her journey.
“I always tell myself to be kind. Allah sees every effort we make, and Alhamdulillah, He has made many things easier for me,” she said.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Aisha emphasized that consistency remains the foundation of every successful business.
She urged business owners to remain committed to their goals even when progress appears slow, noting that sustained effort eventually produces results.
She concluded the interview by sharing her personal definition of success.
“For me, success means peace of mind,” she said.
