THE MAKING OF TASTEE FRIED CHICKEN
Do you remember that old tune, ke se ra, se ra, whatever will be, will be?' The tune played out, last Sunday, September 5 at O'jez Hangout, National Stadium, Surulere where O'jez Entertainment Forum honoured the Chief Executive Officer of Tastee Fried Chicken, Mrs. Olayinka Pamela Adedayo (a.k.a Mama Tastee). Mama Tastee joined the diamond league few months back, July 27 when friends and family as well as Anglican priests joined her in thanksgiving celebrating her 60th birthday on board, Western Caribbean Cruise, Oasis of The Seas. Having previously honoured eminent Nigerians such as Founder of African Refugees' Foundation, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Patrick Doyle and star Yoruba actor, Prince Jide Kosoko by celebrating them, it was the turn of Mama Tastee to be equally honoured.
As expected, guests were feted to sumptuous wining and dining. In fact, O'jez Hangout practically stood still for the new Diamond Lady. Nevertheless, guests had the best meal – the documentary of Mama Tastee from childhood to adulthood. Born into a polygamous but staunch, disciplined Christian home in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on July 27, 1950, Mama Tastee grew up without the usual, unnecessary rancour in polygamous home. There was no rancour or rivalry across maternal lines at home. Since life is a mixture of joy and pain, Mama Tastee's joy of growing with both parents was ruptured at the age of 17 years when her mother and mentor died in 1967.
Mama Tastee's consolation came soon after when she met the love of her life, Adekunle Adedayo. She started her career as cashier in the Nigerian Ports Authority. She went for further studies in Chicago University where she bagged a B.Sc. in Business Administration in 1978. She was married earlier in 1976 to Adedayo; God blessed them with a son, Oluwabunmi the next year, 1977. Mama Tastee underwent the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and did her primary assignment in the Nigerian Breweries Limited in 1980. Afterwards, she worked for nine years in research and Statistics Department of the Ministry of Finance.
The maxim, 'some were born great, some achieved greatness while some had greatness thrust upon them was exemplified in the birth of Tastee Fried Chicken. Mama Tastee's son, Oluwabunmi celebrated his 10th birthday; guests were feted to tasty meals that friends and family of the Adedayos had come to know their home for, even back in the United States of America. One of the friends of the family, an Alhaji was so bowled over by the tasty meal that he commissioned her to cater to his party. More offers like that came. An outlet was opened later and the Tastee Group grew with customers having access to their tasty meals in more outlets all over Lagos in Surulere, Ikeja, FESTAC, Marina and corporate Headquarters in Victoria Island. Honoured with awards by the media, government and Non-Governmental Organisations, Mama Tastee is the pioneer President of Association of Food Confectionaries of Nigeria (AFCON).
Blessed with a virtuous wife in Mama Tastee, her husband, Adekunle Adedayo had his own diamond celebration in 2008 with friends and family on board the Luxury Cruise on Queen Mary (II). Also, their son, Oluwabunmi got married last year and God blessed the family with a grandchild - the perfect icing on the cake of the family's diamond celebration.
Wining and dining with this blessed family as O'jez Entertainment Forum honoured their Matriarch, Mama Tastee, were the host, CEO of O'jez Entertainment Centre, Chief Joseph Odebeatu, Chief (Dr.) Kuku of Eko Hospital, living legend, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar, Olori Ladun Sijuade, veteran journalist, Tunji Okusaja, Mr. and Mrs. Adefusike Ade-Ojo, Business Development Executive, Today'sNigerians.com, Ahmed Adeniji, Prince and Princess Akin Adewuyi, Barrister Nelson Okoli, Koffi Mensah, rice distributor, Adeyinka Sobowale, Justin Akpovi, Dele Oduwale and members of AFCON.
Also present were Nollywood big boys and babes like Ejike Asiegbu, President of Actors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze, Producer of award winning soap opera, Patriot and Champions of Our Time, Chidi Nwokeabia, movie director and actor, Charles Inojie, Production Manager Simeone Owest, Andy Chukwu, Charles Novia, Emeka Ani, Emeka Enyiocha, Chinyere Wilfred and her twin sister, Chinelo, Victor Osuagwu, Ernest Asuzu, comedian Johnnywaka and others.
The late American King of pop, Michael Jackson came alive with his hit, 'Wanna Be Starting Something'; Vincent Ebiale, the artiste who performed the hit, shared the limelight with Mama Tastee with his perfect replica of Wacko Jacko's famous moon - walk and crotch - grabbing. You should have been there to feel the fun and laughter.