A TASTE OF NIGERIA Liverpool community matron and Queen’s Nurse Beverley Nwosu says there’s something fundamentally satisfying about good food. ‘We all have different reasons for eating well. For me it’s the joy of cooking for friends. As a mum and grand mum my greatest joy is seeing people enjoying the variety of food that I prepare. Food was a big part of our lives when we were growing up. My dad was a barrister and my mum a nurse. Although I was born in England, we returned to Nigeria after I and my brothers and sisters finished our schooling. Traditionally in Nigeria girls are expected to go to the market with their mothers to buy food so I learnt naturally the ingredients needed for different dishes.
My mum was good at feeding people who came to our house. Whether invited or not, she’d quickly prepare something to serve to our visitors. My love of good food grew even more when I had my own children. They’ve all left home now and are doing well, so I assume I must have fed them well! Now there’s just me and my husband, but I sometimes forget the children have left home and end up buying and cooking the same amounts I did when they were all at home. They often pop round to take home what’s left. Better still, I have been blessed with three grandchildren, who have an appetite for eating grandmama’s food, so nothing is wasted!”
20