Can we meet you?
My name is Rufai Titilope. I run a business called Teelicks Foodies. We deal with all types of food and drinks, from finger food to cocktails and mocktails, continental dishes, traditional dishes, you name it.
What made you go into food business Rufai Titilope?
I’ve always been a lover of food since I was a little girl. I remember, growing up, when I had to choose between offering Home Economics as a subject and Agricultural Science, I went with Home Economics. When the opportunity came to take Food and Nutrition as a subject in Senior Secondary School, I jumped at it – I’ve always tried to experiment with food and explore.
Did you have any experience or training before starting out?
Yes, I attended a couple of trainings before starting out, and I also gathered some experience, while I was working with the CEO of Cakes n’ Pastries.
How did your journey begin?
I started this business when I was at a low point in my life. It wasn’t what I planned to do after school. I remember I had just resigned from where I was working, and I was really apprehensive about the next step in my life. It just suddenly dropped in my mind to start something in the food industry, and I just decided to go for it. My greatest comfort is that God has really been faithful to me.
Rufai Titilope branding is very different. Can you tell us what your thought process is like?
I always try to do something different from what everyone is doing.
What’s your biggest challenge so far? How did the pandemic affect your business?
My biggest challenge, so far, will be the fact the business is not very much out there yet in the sense that not so many people are aware of what we do. This business has been in existence for about 3-4 years now, and we’re very good at what we do. All our dishes are freshly made from scratch and are healthy to consume.
Also, the pandemic was quite hard, to be honest. We were able to do a little bit of home delivery. I’m glad that things are gradually returning to normal.
What’s your favourite food/order to make?
I love attending to small chops, cocktails, and Jollof rice orders.
What has been the best part of this Rufai Titilope journey?
Meeting people. I have been able to meet people that I would not have come across ordinarily.
Do you plan to move from an online store to a physical store?
Of course. As time goes on, the plan is to establish a restaurant that offers a la carte services – where people can walk in, place their orders, and we make it for them. That’s the plan for the business in the long run.
What’s your most popular recipe/ your signature recipe?
That will be Turmeric Basmati Rice. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- tablespoon coconut oil or unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken
Instructions
- Before cooking, rinse the rice in a colander under the tap, or by covering with water, swirling, and carefully decanting (repeat 2-3 times until water becomes clear).
- In a medium pot, combine the rinsed basmati rice with the coconut oil, turmeric, ground ginger, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and stock.
- Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let sit for another 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
Check out more recipes of Rufai Titilope @teelicksfoodies on Instagram.
