Encomium
…Pockets N2m, brand new SUV, kitchen equipment
A 30 year old Lagos-based female office administrator, Dixon Olakunbi has finally emerged winner of the Unilever Nigeria-sponsored TV reality show tagged, Knorr Taste Quest.
For her accomplishment, Dixon goes home with N2 million cash prize, a Ford Eco Sport SUV, courtesy of Coscharis Motors, and Kenwood kitchen equipment. She now joins the Knorr Taste Quest Hall of Fame that already has winner of season one, Indonesia born Eko Hotel chef, Lalu Surdiham, who was also present at the grand finale.
Following closely as the second runner-up was 32 year-old veterinary doctor, Nwando Onuigbo, who got a N1 million cash prize and Kenwood kitchen equipment. A 28 year-old system analyst, Olabode Akinyoola, ended as third place winner with N500,000 cash prize and Kenwood kitchen equipment. All other contestants who entered into the show went home with a consolatory prize of Kenwood kitchen equipment.
It was much to the surprise of the four finalists when show anchor, DJ Mannie of Cool FM announced the recall of a fifth contestant, Ojo Omoniyi into the show for the grand finale. The finalists were told to prepare a three course meal within stipulated time.
Ingredients for the starter included, catfish, garden egg, avocado, cous cous, quinoa and atarodo. For the Main, ingredients comprised lamb, corn, breadfruit, plantain, rice, fettuccine, zucchini, pumpkin, aubergine, leeks and chocolate. To complete the three course was dessert ingredients such as mango, melon, flour and butter.
At the end, they all filed out to present their dishes one after another but it was Dixon’s meal that unanimously earned the best reviews from the obviously impressed three-man judging panel. Head of the jury, Dr. Roberts confessed that although he was not a lover of avocado, he could not resist Dixon’s experiment with the fruit.
“To say that I am shocked and surprised is an understatement,” declared an excited Dixon after she was declared winner. “I wasn’t expecting to win. I hope that this is the beginning of good things to come; like more endorsements. This is just the beginning.”
She added, “I didn’t see it coming. I am competing against the best. It is not a case of one person does it better than all the rest. It is about understanding ingredients and working with time. There is no secret recipe anywhere. I didn’t expect to win but I am grateful I won.”
According to Doctor Roberts, the final decision was not easy but based on facts available to judges. “To be honest, I came into the finale without having an idea of who will emerge as the winner,” confessed Dr Roberts. He added, “It was a very level-playing field. It was anybody’s game. Everything stood her out. Her starter, main course and desert were very good.”
Expressing her satisfaction at the outcome of the show, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, Brand Building Director, Foods, Unilever Nigeria, said that the winner had displayed skills and talent worthy to be crowned as Nigeria’s best cook.
“I am extremely satisfied. I take that from the excitement from the audience and the winner. She has displayed skills and talent that set her apart from her contemporaries. About 14 of them started out when the show began some 15 weeks ago. Anybody could have won,” she submitted.
According to Ogedi Alakwe, the season two witnessed a marked improvement from the first, especially in areas of coverage where auditions were extended beyond Lagos to Calabar and Abuja. She added that over 10,000 entries were received for the just concluded season with weekly TV followership across the nation to the tune of 4million viewers.
Knorr Taste Quest season two also witnessed unprecedented partnership from Cosharis Motors which donated the star prize of a Ford Eco Sport SUV as well as from Kenwood who donated kitchen equipment worth several millions.
‘I DIDN’T SEE MY WINNING COMING’ – Dixon Olakunbi
Dixon Olakunbi is a self-confessed culinary lover who auditioned in Lagos for Knorr Taste Quest. She is a full time office administrator.
Congrats! Tell us about yourself.
I am Dixon Olakunbi or Kunbi for short. I live in Lagos, from Lagos Island. I work full-time as an office administrator. I enjoy cooking. I enjoy cooking and that is why I enrolled for Knorr Taste Quest season II.
How does it feel to be a winner?
To say that I am shocked and surprised is an understatement. I wasn’t expecting to win. I am happy that I won. I hope that this is the beginning of good things to come; like more endorsements. This is just the beginning for me.
As is the case at such moments, you weren’t seen in a display of emotions. How did you pull that off?
I didn’t cry because I am not that emotional but I am truly very happy.
Did you have any feelings that you would win?
I didn’t see it coming. I am competing against the best. It is not a case of one person did it better than all the rest. It is about understanding ingredients and working with time. There is no secret recipe anywhere. I didn’t expect to win but I am grateful I won.
What ran through your mind when the winner was to be announced?
The suspense was killing. But deep down, I knew I was competing against Nwando and I could see myself comfortable with N2 million cash if I emerged second. Nwando has talent.
You are two million naira richer, do you already have plans for your prize money?
I am not being cocky but I must confess that I have not really thought about what I will do with my prize money. Now, I will have the time to sit down and save.
You are also a car owner, how does that make you feel?
I have a car that I use but this SUV is my car. I worked 13 weeks for it (laughs).
Do you have any plan to put the cooking skills that you learnt to commercial use after Knorr Taste Quest?
No, I don’t think that opening a kitchen, restaurant or catering are among my callings. But my interests are in appetizers and desserts, it is something I will like to perfect the skill. I am not thinking of doing anything on a commercial scale for now. In the near future, I wouldn’t mind to open a TV show or a charity where we cook for free.
What was your lowest point in the show?
There were times in the show where I thought I would be evicted. I don’t think there was any of my co-contestant who was sure of what to expect next. You can’t tell these things. Some ingredients we have never seen before, let alone knowing their names. A few others we have seen but have no idea what to do with them. I am grateful for each step and change.
‘HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE WINNERS’ – DR ROBERTS, head jury
Dr Roberts is a celebrity chef and was head of the three-man panel for Knorr Taste Quest season two.
Was it a very easy decision?
I wouldn’t say it was easy or not but the decision was based on facts presented to us. These included who was the best and who was consistent throughout the show. Our decision was based on the food each contestant cooked and how it tasted.
Did you expect the show to turn out this way?
To be honest with you, I came into the show today without having an idea of who was going to win. It was a level-playing field and unfortunately in any competition, the best could become the last and vice versa. It was anybody’s game. I think she worked very hard.
What stood out the winner?
Everything stood her out. Her starter was very good so was her main and her dessert was excellent. She came out well in all the three.
– RASHEED ABUBAKAR
