Today we’d like to introduce you to Omowunmi Akande.
Hi Omowunmi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi. My name is Omowunmi. I am the head chef of Zee’s Dine & Wine. I moved to U.S in 2011 for my Masters. I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bowen University; I came to further my education here. In the U.S, I went ahead to get an associate’s degree and two master’s degree. I have always had a passion for cooking from Nigeria because I come from a lineage of very good cooks. I loved to jokingly say I have a wandering tastebud. I will always find myself in the kitchen cooking for friends and family out of passion. I got a lot of cookbooks because of my wandering tastebud and will just try out different recipes. When I moved to the U.S, that continued with me cooking for my uncle and family, friends and family in every state I have lived in.
Zee’s Dine & Wine was built at the intersection of structure and creativity. By profession, I’m a project manager, and by passion, a chef. For a long time, those two worlds ran in parallel — I managed complex projects by day and poured my creativity into food and hosting whenever I could. Eventually, I realized the skills I used in project management — planning, coordination, execution, and leadership — were the same skills needed to build a strong hospitality brand.
What started as cooking for family and friends slowly turned into catering requests, private events, and curated dining experiences. I stepped into the role of founder and head chef without a perfect roadmap, but with the ability to organize chaos, manage details, and deliver under pressure. That blend is allowing Zee’s Dine & Wine to grow intentionally rather than randomly.
The journey hasn’t been linear. Balancing a demanding career, family while building a food business required sacrifice, discipline, and a lot of late nights. But each challenge helped refine the brand and my confidence as a leader. Today, Zee’s Dine & Wine reflects both sides of who I am — creativity guided by structure — and though we are not where we want to be yet, but God has been faithful, He is my only source. I’m proud of how far we have come and excited about what’s ahead.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has not been a smooth one, but it has been deeply rewarding. Like most growing businesses, Zee’s Dine & Wine faced challenges with limited resources especially as an immigrant, visibility, consistency, building trust all while maintaining quality and authencity. Sourcing fresh ingredients is a big challenge here in Jacksonville, that is why we get our authentic food items from Nigeria to give our clients the best. There were moments of uncertainty, slow seasons and most importantly the pressure of not having enough helping hands so having to balance multiple roles behind the scenes.
However, those challenges became defining moments I had to learn through trial, faith and persistence. Every obstacle has helped shape Zee’s Dine & Wine into the intentional, service driven business it is today.
We’ve been impressed with Zee’s Dine & Wine, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Zee’s Dine & Wine was born from a simple love for food, hospitality, and creating spaces where people feel celebrated. What began as a passion for cooking and hosting gradually evolved into a luxury dining and catering brand known for elevated flavors, thoughtful presentation, and intentional service.
Founded by God’s grace and driven by purpose, the brand was built by faith, resilience, and a willingness to step out and trust the process. We believe food should do more than satisfy—it should create moments. Every menu is thoughtfully curated, every detail handled with care, and every experience delivered with excellence. We do not cut corners here and we use the freshest ingredients to get the best and local Nigerian taste.
Our services include freshly meals that goes beyond just Nigerian dishes, small chops, elevated drinks that don’t just taste good but look unforgettable, full-service event catering for every occasion, luxury food set ups and many more.
Today, Zee’s Dine & Wine curates dining experiences for intimate gatherings and special celebrations, focusing on quality, creativity, and connection. We ship to all states in the United States so distance is no barrier.
At its core, the brand reflects Zee’s belief that good food has the power to bring people together, tell stories, and turn moments into memories and I believe that’s what sets us apart.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve learned that growth and comfort rarely live in the same place. Starting Zee’s Dine & Wine was a risk on its own — stepping into entrepreneurship without having everything perfectly mapped out, but with a strong vision and the belief that I’d figure things out along the way.
Some of my biggest risks came during uncertain seasons, choosing to invest in my brand, say yes to opportunities that stretched me, and price my services based on their true value instead of fear. Those decisions weren’t always easy, but they were necessary. For me, risk is weighed carefully, covered in prayer, and taken with integrity. I believe when your intentions are pure and your work is rooted in purpose, even the scariest steps can become the most rewarding ones.
I’m not a reckless risk-taker. I’m intentional. I think things through, learn as I go, and take calculated steps forward. Over time, I’ve realized that progress often requires a little courage and a lot of consistency and those choices have played a major role in shaping Zee’s Dine & Wine into what it is today.
Zee’s Dine & Wine exists today because I chose faith over fear and that same mindset continues to guide every decision I make.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zees_dine_wine?igsh=N3BoeWs4NXRxeWEz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D4UAcWUdY/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@zees_dine_wine?_r=1&_t=ZP-93SvkjFnlq3
