“My driving force is the grand vision I have for Meals With Abi – I’m all about the bigger picture. ” – Abisodun Raphael Akinmola a.k.a Meals With Abi

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to start your food content creation journey as Meals with Abi?
I’m Abisodun Raphael Akinmola. A Lagos native and a former HR executive, now happily married. My passion for cooking has always been a part of me. Surprisingly, I transitioned from my 9-5 routine to become a food blogger.

Cooking for others has always brought me immense joy. Witnessing people enjoying my dishes gives me a sense of fulfillment. Initially, I cooked for friends, and after marriage, it naturally became a routine. Sharing my cooking process on Snapchat was a casual way to entertain my small group of followers.

My journey took an unexpected turn when I decided to try the keto diet. To remain accountable, I created a page called “Keto With Abi“ to document my keto meals and progress but it didn’t last 😂. Although my keto endeavor was short-lived, it planted a seed.

I decided to post a video of myself preparing noodles and it surprisingly gained attention, then people started calling me “The Last Noodle Bender.” Encouraged by positive feedback from the video, I shared more contents and decided to change the page’s name to “Meals with Abi“ to encompass my evolving culinary interests.

With around 100 initial followers, I was excited to create more content. It was like a secret project, just in case it didn’t work out. I gradually introduced videos showcasing my cooking techniques and recipes. I was actually excited about the fact that I had people wanting to learn how to make the dishes I posted, That’s how the journey started and I got my first 1k followers a few weeks later. I think my brother saw a picture of my food online and he asked if I was food blogging. I told him “no” but he started telling everybody about the food blogging thing 😂 so I got a backdrop and started recording.  

Though I began sharing random videos in late 2018, it was during the COVID period in 2019 that I officially embarked on my food blogging journey.

How do you come up with your unique and creative recipes and what are your thoughts on recipe pilfering?
Honestly, I think anyone can be a recipe maker. If you can put together stuff you have at home and it tastes good, you’re on the right track. For me, sometimes I just look at what’s in my kitchen and think, “Hey, this might be good with a cornstarch sauce.” Like there was a time I wanted to make stir fry Mackerel fish, but I had some leftover Titus fish in the fridge. I used that with a couple of other ingredients and it turned out great. 

If the recipe is for a brand, I try to figure out a recipe that fits their style. However, most of the time, I get random ideas out of the blue. I could be in the kitchen and mix some things together and boom, I have a recipe! For almost every recipe I make, I test it 2 or 3 times to make sure it’s good enough to share.

About copying recipes, I believe that God didn’t give just one person an idea. It’s all about how fast you execute it, so I don’t believe in someone ‘stealing’ my recipe.

What type of brands have you worked with aside from seasoning brands?
Being a food blogger isn’t just about the food. There are different processes before it gets to the food. The equipment, the water, kitchen space, kitchen utensils etc. are all part of the process and not just seasonings or spices. 

 I’ve collaborated with brands like Maggi, Checkers Custard, Cway, and Grand Oats, just to name a few. 

What was a memorable food-related experience from your childhood that you think shaped you into the individual you are today?
When I was a kid, I didn’t cook much because we had folks to do that. But then, my sister studied food tech and one day she came back all excited about cabbage stir fry. We tried it, and I felt the need to recreate it and since then I thought “oh well, cooking is fun!”

My food journey during my early years wasn’t exactly life-changing. However, when I started school, I found joy in preparing meals for my friends. I think that was when I realized my passion for cooking.

In terms of cooking, do you have a favorite cuisine you like to cook/eat and why?
I don’t really have a top favorite dish – I enjoy a bit of everything. However, if I were to choose something I truly enjoy cooking, it would be Pasta, and that’s because it offers countless possibilities. I don’t stick to just one dish, mainly because I like variety and trying new things. The only food I don’t get tired of is ‘Grocery’😂

Have you experienced any challenging moment in this content creation journey and how did you overcome it?
In the beginning, I was juggling a 9-5 job, but it was post-COVID that I began facing challenges in staying consistent. I remember filming late at night, around midnight, right after work, and then catching just a few hours of sleep, like 2 or 3 hours. That phase was truly demanding because I was determined to stay consistent and grow my page. I had to figure out how to balance my job and creating content. After work, I’d head to the mall or market to grab ingredients and start prepping. Those were the most trying times for me.

What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of your culinary passion?
The most fulfilling thing for me is the feedback I receive from people. I get voice messages from folks and their kids saying, “Thank you, and God bless you.” Other people say stuff like, “My husband really enjoyed this dish, thank you.” There was even a time when someone from the north called me to express gratitude, and she was quite emotional. When I hear how my content has positively affected people’s lives and made them happy, that’s the real reward.

How do you keep yourself motivated to create content regularly with so many distractions?
My driving force is the grand vision I have. I’m all about the bigger picture – where I see Meals with Abi growing to. I understand that if I don’t put in the effort now, I won’t reach that point. Towards the end of last year, I faced some struggles with visibility, and I almost called it quits. But I told myself, “You’re not finished yet.” So, I pushed ahead, and now, it’s paying off. For me, it’s all about the bigger picture for Meals with Abi. I realize that unless I put in the groundwork now, I won’t reach that destination.

Do you think there’s any feedback that has influenced your content creation?
I haven’t really received any negative feedback. Maybe because I don’t create complicated recipes 😂

What do you think is the best way to build a community?
First things first, find your niche. Let people know what you’re all about and stick to it. Don’t jump from tech to food and back again. Stay true to yourself, be consistent, and also create relatable content. Always reply to your direct messages; that’s how you form connections and build a community.

What advice do you have for aspiring food and lifestyle content creators who want to follow in your footsteps?
The most important thing is you have to be passionate about what you want to do. Consistency is key, along with sharing top-notch content. Keep an eye on trends and make content your audience can connect with. Patience is essential as growth takes time – trust the journey. Strive to improve without comparing yourself to others.

Remember, “Comparison steals your joy.”

 Keep up with  Abisodun on Instagram @mealswithabi  ⭐️  and her store @homeetall

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