Chef Fregz

Gbubemi Fregene, better known as Chef Fregz, is a Nigerian chef.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Gbubemi Fregene was born in Abeokuta. He grew up in Benin City. He studied Industrial relations and human resource management at Covenant University and cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, France.^[3][4][5]

Career

Gbubemi started his culinary internships at Oakwood Park and Protea Hotel in 2004 and continued at Oleander Lodge in 2007, while studying. In 2009, he started his own catering service called DVARD Catering Service. Fregene left Nigeria in early 2010 to study at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Paris, France, earning a Diploma in Cuisine. At the institute, he learned classical French cooking techniques while also experiencing diverse cultural influences from different countries. After completing his studies at Le Cordon Bleu, he worked as an intern at the Market Restaurant, Paris from November 2010 till February 2011. Fregene was retained in the restaurant after the internship period.

Gbubemi returned to Nigeria and built his brand focusing on attracting Nigerian youths by appealing to their passion for new and creative cooking. In order to meet the need for young chefs to communicate and connect with the upwardly mobile crowd which he serviced, he promoted his brand by hosting regularly summer style cookouts called Chef Fregz Special.^[6] Gbubemi has also been a judge in cooking competitions in Nigeria, including Knorr Taste Quest.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Personal life

He married Kemi Lala Akindoju in September 2018 and had a son in February 2021.^[13]

References

1. "Chef Fregz, Leading Nigerian Chef reveals his all-time Favourite Soup -Watch". Pulse. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
2. "Cuisine with Chef Fregz: Sourcing for Produce". Bella Naija. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
3. . The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
4. "Gbubemi Fregene of Chef Fregz catering tells Bella Naija about the business of catering". Retrieved July 26, 2016.
5. . Onobello. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
6. . Anabelgroup. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
7. "Unilever out with cooking TV show". The Nation. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
8. . Knorr. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
9. . Onobello. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
10. ""I started with nothing" 3 Things You Should Know about Chef Fregs, the Nigerian Multi-Millionaire Male Chef". Manly. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
11. Anslem JON (March 17, 2016). . Tush Magazine. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
12. "The Young Nigerian S01 Ep02- The Chef – YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
13. BellaNaija.com (2021-02-21). "It's Baby No. 1 for Chef Fregz & Lala Akindoju". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2021-02-28.