Meet Opeyemi Famakin: Nigeria's Biggest Food Critic

Opeyemi Famakin is a prominent food and wine critic at "Eat With Ope" and is regarded as Nigeria's biggest food critic. He began his career in the food industry in March 2021. Famakin is known for his stringent rating system, where he reserves a perfect score (10/10) for God and a near-perfect score (9/10) for himself. He is considered 8/10, the highest rating any dish can achieve.

Famakin's career started in content strategy and community management at Webcoupers, where he worked full-time from March 2019 to March 2021. Before that, he was the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Freeme Digital Limited from May 2017 to March 2019, where he focused on creating and editing content and improving organizational strategies. He also served as the Assistant Lifestyle Editor at GHE Media from July 2014 to May 2017 and as an Entertainment Reporter at Iconway Media from November 2013 to August 2015.

Famakin's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies from the University of Lagos, completed in 2014. His passion for food was inspired by his upbringing, particularly his mother's love for cooking and the family's habit of traveling to experience different cuisines. Although he did not attend culinary school, he learned to cook from his mother and grandmother.

Famakin's approach to food criticism is both passionate and uncompromising. He views food as both art and science and shares his experiences and reviews on social media. Despite facing significant backlash, especially on platforms like Twitter, he remains dedicated to his honest reviews. His commitment to truthfulness, even when it attracts negative attention, has solidified his reputation as a reliable food critic.

His journey has not been without challenges, including dealing with the mental toll of constant public scrutiny and balancing honest reviews with the potential backlash from restaurant owners and local communities. However, these challenges have also led to increased visibility and opportunities, as brands often reach out to him for his influential voice in the industry.

Famakin's future plans include expanding his food criticism to other West African countries and potentially establishing himself as the biggest food critic in Africa. Despite the difficulties, his passion for food and dedication to his craft continue to drive him forward.