Opeyemi Famakin attributes food criticism career to mother's influence, not influencer aspirations
Popular Nigerian food critic, Opeyemi Famakin, stated that his career in food journalism and criticism was inspired by his mother's passion for food, rather than a deliberate plan to become an influencer. During an interview on the TJAE Podcast with Joey Akan, Famakin explained that he grew up in a family where food was central, with his mother and grandfather both being food enthusiasts. He recounted traveling to various countries, including Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Dubai, on food-focused trips with his mother and siblings. Famakin noted that he was the only one among his siblings who genuinely shared his mother's interest in food. He emphasized that there was no initial grand plan to build a career around food, stating he simply enjoyed food and talking about it. His journalism background, including a role as an editor at Vibe, helped him develop effective communication skills. Despite initial skepticism from colleagues at Vibe about the viability of food journalism within an entertainment platform, Famakin was motivated to prove its potential. He also revealed that criticism and negativity fuel his ambition, asserting that praise would hinder his progress more than negativity.
