Chef Eros

**Chef Eros** **Tolulope "Tolu" Erogbogbo**, widely known as **Chef Eros**, is a Nigerian self-taught gourmet chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and media personality. He is recognized as a significant figure in the West African culinary scene, particularly in Lagos, Nigeria, for blending traditional Nigerian food culture with contemporary fine dining and for establishing multiple successful food-related businesses. Erogbogbo is sometimes referred to as "The Billionaire Chef." **Early Life and Education** Tolulope Erogbogbo was born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria. His culinary journey began unexpectedly while he was a student at the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom. He reportedly began calling his mother for cooking instructions and developed a strong passion for food. At the age of 21, months before graduating, Erogbogbo made the crucial decision to drop out of university and return to Lagos to pursue his ambition of opening his own restaurant, driven by the belief that food could bring people together. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Erogbogbo is the founder and executive chef behind several prominent Nigerian food enterprises. His career gained momentum following a simple craving for cookies, which led to the accidental launch of his first major venture, **Cookiejar Bakery**. This small business quickly became a major success, with Erogbogbo recalling selling over half a million cookies in a single day, which opened doors to networking with influential figures like Don Jazzy and Dr. Sid. Building on this success, he expanded his business portfolio to include **Eros & Gomets Foods** and **FreshPrep**, a meal service. His most notable restaurant venture is **Ile Eros**, which offers an authentic, reimagined Nigerian dining experience. Beyond his restaurants, Chef Eros is also known for curating private dining experiences for Lagos’s elite. **Major Achievements and Current Status** Chef Eros has achieved significant recognition both within Nigeria and internationally. He was named a **(RED)UCATOR** for his efforts in activism related to the food business. His professional growth includes gaining brand ambassadorships and access to professional kitchen facilities early in his career. A major milestone includes his appearance as a featured chef on the Emmy Award-winning show, *Rebel Kitchen*. As of his current status, Tolu Erogbogbo continues to actively expand his hospitality empire in Lagos, Nigeria. His recent ventures include the opening of **Bar 77** and **Apartment 90**, as well as involvement with **the Nahous creative hub**. He continues to operate a reimagined Cookie Jar bakery and is committed to revolutionizing the West African culinary landscape, expressing a desire to be remembered as the man who made the dreams of many black West African chefs a reality.