We had the good fortune of connecting with Omosade Olaiya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Omosade, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my business was actually accidental. I thoroughly enjoy cooking and creating fun and bomb dishes! So, originally I started an Instagram page and had the bright idea of catering West African cuisine but with an American/millennial twist! I started practicing my ‘signature’ dishes, creating content, and marketing myself as a west african home based caterer–Very short lived! God had a different plan. One day, my friend and I made a cake for another friend’s birthday and it was surprisingly a hit; people loved it. From there we both started receiving cake requests of similar inspo. From there I realized that maybe this is my calling and from there everything began to align. I have always been inspired by the European food industry. I love their cafe(s), bakeries, and small mom and pop shops you may see on every other corner.  I always knew that one day I’d bring something like that to the DC, Maryland, an/or Virginia area…a huge goal of mine. So once I started baking, I just knew that this was all a part of a bigger plan. Never did I think people would be so drawn to my work, but it happened and the word thankful is not even enough to describe this feeling.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My small business that I hold near and dear is called ChiEats. Half of the name I created is part of my middle name, Chioma. I didn’t take much time in choosing the name, but to me, Chi was fitting because it is also a part of my mom’s name and in Igbo means ‘God’. These are the most important figures that supply my motivation to keep going, so there was no need to think any further! The hardest part about having a business is maintaining the momentum, but my name is a constant reminder to never give up and push myself beyond my comfort zone.

What I’d like everyone to see is that we are more than cake. We foster an environment for people to be artistically free, and express themselves through cake art, we strive to exceed customer expectations, and most importantly, ChiEats will soon introduce a new culture to our community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had some friends visiting, I would take them out to eat first and foremost, because we LOVE food. For something quick I’d take them to Eat Brgz near ChinaTown DC or Baan Siam, also in NW DC [In my opinion, Burgers and/or Thai food will never disappoint]! Then we will head over to Sprinkles DC–The best cupcake in DC! Afterwards, we’d head over to the mall area, where the monument is located, and hop on a scooter and explore DC’s evening scenery! There’s so much to see and experience, so why not? After a long day of eating and exploring we’d head home and get dressed for dinner at Shoto(The best restaurant in DC…no competition)! BU, if we want a Sunday Funday vibe, we are brunching at Park or Toro Toro and then heading over to Society Or Decade’s rooftop day & night party!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I owe a huge shoutout and thanks to! My friends and family have been so supportive and encouraging starting with my Mom, brother–Hakeem, and sister–Iyabo; who are my right hands and assist me in bringing my cakes to life. We also have my very creative friend Clemence, who actually had the idea of making the cake for our friend’s birthday! Everyone seems to always have that person that is your biggest supporter but also your biggest critic and for me, that is Michael…special thank you to him for his patience with me and believing in my work. I also have to thank every single one of my friends turned sisters and/or brother who constantly encourage and support my brand; Kaila, Kayla, Tosin, Raygene, Nicole, Taylor, Breanna, Bridgette, Amara, EJ, Whitney, Destiny, Tiffany, Mary, Tomi, Debo, Brenda, Vicky, Victoria, Lola, Khalida, Aderonke, Ariana, Julie, Myriam, Ehi, Bussy, Peace, DanLay, Daniel, and so many more.

Website: https://www.chieats.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chieats__/

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