Today, we meet Belinda Joseph, the face behind Meals Bank on Instagram and YouTube, a certified pastry chef with a diploma in sugarcraft.
AFN Tell us about yourself!
Chef Belinda My name is Belinda Joseph, I hail from Edo State Nigeria and am based in Accra-Ghana. I am a graduate of Hospitality & Tourism Management. 2016 I attended one of the prestigious culinary schools in Accra-Ghana. I am a certified pastry chef and also have a diploma in sugarcraft.
AFN Why do you cook?
Chef Belinda Well, cooking is therapeutic for me and I have always believed that no matter how good you are, the joy is in cooking for others.
AFN What is your favorite memory in the kitchen?
Chef Belinda My most memorable kitchen experience was the first time I baked for my kids. Seeing the reaction on their faces and them asking for more brought so much joy and delight to my soul and encouraged me to do more.
AFN What is your biggest cooking fail?
Chef Belinda I remember trying a baking recipe after days of self-learning about it but it didn’t come out as expected. Although I cannot really call it my biggest cooking fail, because as a chef you are expected to be creative. Some recipes might come out well while some definitely won’t but it’s your ability to learn from it and push further that counts.
AFN What kitchen equipment do you use more and can’t do without?
Chef Belinda Baking is a dance of ingredients and inspiration and each pastry is a reflection of the baker’s soul. Therefore I would consider my oven as one of my kitchen equipment that I can’t do without simply because I love to bake.
AFN What are your favorite foods to cook and why?
Chef Belinda Even as a chef I am still learning to be a good chef. I’m always learning new techniques and improving beyond my own knowledge because there is always something new to learn and new horizons to discover but so far I would consider my native rice, egusi soup and baking pizza as some of my favorite foods to cook.
AFN What would you like to share with our audience?
Chef Belinda I would like to encourage anyone who loves to cook so much that wants to make it a profession. The path isn’t easy. It involves formal training, long hours in the kitchens, physical labour, and heavy competition but the reward is the opportunity to design creative dishes, run a kitchen, or even own one that people can affiliate you with.
AFN How can your fans reach you on social media?
My fans and supporters can reach me on social media via Instagram @Meals_Bank and also subscribe to my YouTube channel @Mealsbank for more gripping recipes.
