Born on the 7th of February, 1988, in Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State, Edeh Chinenye Jessica grew up with a quiet but determined resolve — to grow, to give, and to support humanity in every way she could. Her early years in Onitsha laid the foundation for her academic journey, beginning at Santa Maria Primary School, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 2001.


Fuelled by curiosity and a love for learning, she continued her education at St. Cyprian Special Science School, Nsukka, earning her West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC) in 2007. It was there her interest in the growing world of technology began to take root — a passion that would shape the next phase of her journey. In pursuit of excellence and technical knowledge, Chinenye enrolled at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where she studied Computer Science. She first bagged an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 2012 and, driven by a desire to deepen her competence, she returned to complete her Higher National Diploma (HND) in 2015.


 Along the way, she supplemented her classroom knowledge with practical skills, earning a certificate in Computer Applications from Mecxon Computer School the same year.


Her industrial training at Alo Aluminum Company (2012–2013) gave her firsthand experience in applying IT knowledge in a real-world setting. But Chinenye’s heart longed for more than just technical mastery — she yearned to serve.

This inner passion led her to the development sector. In 2015, she joined Happy Home Foundation, a non-governmental organization in Enugu, where she served with dedication. 


Her work revolved around supporting vulnerable groups, coordinating programs, and delivering hope to many. During her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year from 2016 to 2017, she was posted to Succour and Development Service Initiative, continuing her humanitarian efforts with focus and compassion. Following NYSC, Chinenye returned to Happy Home Foundation, where she worked until 2019 — years marked by growth, service, and the strengthening of her commitment to people-centered work.

Then came a new season. In 2019, she stepped into entrepreneurship, founding Victoria’s Kitchen, a food business inspired by her mother’s legacy and her own culinary passion. What began as a small initiative soon blossomed into a platform not only for nourishment but also for empowerment, as she blended her business skills, integrity, and warmth to serve others in new ways.


Chinenye’s journey is one of consistent learning and meaningful impact — from the computer labs of IMT to the mission fields of NGOs, and now to the kitchens where food meets purpose. Through every step, her story reflects not just experience, but character, vision, and a heart that continues to work hard towards supporting the human person. Humble Startup, Heavenly Results

When Chinenye Edeh first sensed the divine nudge to begin a food business, she had no grand plan, no culinary certificate, and certainly no capital to boast of. All she had was obedience and a quiet stirring in her spirit. And so, with nothing but a conviction and a tight budget of ₦1,400, she ventured out to begin what would eventually become Victoria Kitchen. She broke down the modest sum carefully:

N400 was used to buy half a paint of beans, the key ingredient for akara (bean cakes),

N600 went for groundnut oil,

N100 covered fresh pepper,

N200 was used to get some pap (fermented corn pudding).

With no funds to buy new equipment, she borrowed essentials from her home kitchen — a gas cooker, a frying pan, rubber bowls, and a stirring spoon. 


No branding, no fancy aprons, no banner. Just her, her ingredients, and a deep sense of calling.

That very first morning, she set up outside in a modest corner, hoping someone would buy her akara. But to her surprise, the customers came — and they kept coming. By the end of the day, she had sold out and made a profit of N3,200. “I was stunned,” she recounts. “Not just by the money, but by the peace and joy that flooded me. I knew this was it — this was the path I was meant to follow.”


When Customers Become Vision Shapers

The next few days were a learning curve, but also a beautiful awakening. Word spread quickly about the tasty akara and soft, fresh pap from Victoria Kitchen. Her early customers weren’t just satisfied — they were inspired. And slowly, they began shaping the brand’s future without even knowing it. “Can you add jollof rice?” one customer asked politely after breakfast.

Chinenye hesitated. She had never cooked commercially. But she leaned on what she knew best — home-style cooking, the way her mother Victoria had taught her. That evening, she cooked her first pot of rice and stew. The next morning, she brought it along, anxious yet hopeful. The feedback was glowing. And the requests started rolling in:

“Can you make beans and rice tomorrow?”

“How about yam porridge?”


“What of fufu and egusi soup for lunch?”

One by one, she responded. Not out of a business strategy, but out of service. If her customers wanted it, she would learn to make it. Every dish she added to the menu came from a place of love, not ambition. “I didn’t go to catering school,” she admits. “But I paid attention to how food was made at home. That was my curriculum.”


YouTube, Trial, and Trust

As her customer base grew, so did her desire to improve. She knew her food was good, but it could be better. So, she turned to the most accessible mentor she could find: YouTube.

“I saw a video of a woman frying akara differently,” she recalls. “Her technique was cleaner, her akara looked fluffier. I watched it several times, then tried it myself.”

It worked. The new method enhanced the texture and flavor. Her customers noticed and complimented her. This encouraged her to keep learning.


“YouTube became my personal cooking school,” she laughs. “But truly, the magic was in the love. I poured care into every meal. That’s what people tasted.”

Trust began to build. Customers weren’t just buying food — they were buying from someone they believed in. Some would even drive past several food vendors just to get to her spot. Others brought their friends. The once-small akara stand was gradually morphing into a full-service homemade food brand — all without loans, a marketing budget, or any formal business training.


Challenge or Promotion?

Just when everything seemed to be flowing well, a sudden disruption came in 2023. The landlord of her stall’s location gave her a notice to vacate within six months. It was a major blow.


“I felt like I was losing everything I had built,” she says. “But deep down, I knew it was a test.” Instead of panicking, she turned to her most loyal asset — her customers. Many of them were people of means: land agents, property owners, builders, and connectors.

Chinenye told them what had happened.


To her surprise, a few offered help. Someone pointed her to a small, vacant plot of land in a developing area. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was hers to build on. And with every saved naira from months of discipline, she began a new journey.

She: Bought metal rods, roofing sheets, and basic construction materials,

Hired a local welder and carpenter,

Supervised the process herself. Within weeks, her own food structure began to take shape — not just a stall this time, but a proper, dedicated space for her growing brand.

“It wasn’t just a food spot,” she reflects. “It was my altar of obedience — a place where purpose met provision.” Now, under her own roof, she began operating on a larger scale. The menu expanded. Service improved. And the community took greater notice.


A Brand in Bloom

Victoria Kitchen had gone from a N1,400 dream to a recognized food brand — and the journey was just beginning. Her story is one of faith, resilience, and a woman who dared to start small, listen closely, and serve generously. From akara by the roadside to daily lunch packs and custom orders, she had built something lasting — not just with her hands, but with her heart.

And it all started with beans, pap. and a yes.

Find Victoria Kitchen at Location 36 Nza street Independence Layout, Enugu


For orders or requires 

 Follow on Instagram: victorias_homemadefood

Motto: “Memorable and healthy food in a plate and sip”