Popular Nigerian food critic Opeyemi Famakin has attributed his rise as one of the country’s most recognised culinary reviewers to his lifelong passion for food and the influence of his mother, saying his success was never driven by a desire for fame or social media popularity.
Famakin, whose restaurant reviews and food critiques have earned him a large following across digital platforms and established him as a leading voice in Nigeria’s food industry, made the revelation during an interview on the TJAE Podcast hosted by Joey Akan.
Reflecting on the beginning of his journey, the food critic said his appreciation for cuisine was cultivated from childhood through his family’s love for exploring different cultures and meals.
“I grew up in a home where my mom, she’s a foodie, her father was a foodie. So I grew up travelling to different countries for food,” he said.
According to him, his mother regularly took him and his siblings on culinary trips to countries including Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, the Bahamas and Dubai.
“I’ve been to 12 countries. I think 16 now, but with my parents, 12 countries travelling to different countries for food. In the three kids, I was the one that genuinely followed her interest,” he added.
Famakin explained that his journey into food criticism happened naturally, insisting there was never a carefully crafted plan to become an influencer or build a career around food.
“I just liked food. I liked talking about food. There was no plan, there was no grand plan. There was no plan to blow, no plan to be an influencer. I was just that guy that liked talking about food and over time, things happened and things evolved,” he said.
Before becoming a household name in food criticism, Famakin said he worked as a journalist after graduating and later moved into advertising, experiences he believes helped sharpen his storytelling and communication skills.
He recalled trying to introduce food journalism while working as an editor at Vibe, despite doubts from colleagues who questioned whether such content could attract an audience.
“When I was at Vibe, I was trying to be a food journalist, but Vibe is entertainment. And they kept saying, ‘This food thing will not work.'”
Rather than discourage him, the scepticism strengthened his determination to prove that food journalism could thrive in Nigeria.
“I’ll show you guys this thing will work or not,” he said.
Famakin also admitted that criticism has played a significant role in his personal growth, revealing that negative feedback often motivates him to improve.
“Being told I can’t do something, negativity fuels me. The worst way to kill my career is praise me.
“If you want me to fail, keep praising me, keep crediting me. I’ll fail. But keep giving me negativity… if it is helping me, I know I need to work on it, but for now it is benefiting me,” he said.
Over the years, Famakin has built a reputation for honest and detailed reviews of restaurants and local delicacies, making him one of Nigeria’s most influential food critics and a respected figure in the country’s growing culinary and hospitality industry.