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Maria’s passion

She has spent many years  extending Mexican culture in Nigeria and spreading good news about Nigeria. Now, she  is  set to open a Mexican restaurant…

She has spent many years  extending Mexican culture in Nigeria and spreading good news about Nigeria. Now, she  is  set to open a Mexican restaurant in Abuja-and it will be the first of its kind in the capital city.

 

She loves cooking  and creating new exciting forms, and is quite fond of Nigeria. She adores our meals, attire, weather, and our traditions, stretching to the small every day habits and deeds which we may not be very conscious of, but which combine to delight her immensely. 

Maria Adegoroye who has two Masters degrees, has done a lot in terms of spreading Mexican culture in Nigeria, and this has moved some to describe her as a ‘Mexgerian’, a  term which describes one who combines Mexican and Nigerian elements, or one who loves both countries equally. She has helped to spread Mexican culture in schools in Abuja, has a Mexican themed shop in the capital,  and has also encouraged wives of Ambassadors to connect with Nigerian habits and culture. There is  the annual Posada which holds every Christmas at Akure, and this is a Mexican  style Christmas party which will witness its tenth edition this year.

Maria  has a big new plan up her sleeve: she wants to set up a Mexican restaurant here in Abuja. “I am going to open a Mexican restaurant in Abuja. We are committed to this project and we are just waiting for a number of  items coming from Mexico. It will be a special restaurant that will serve Mexican meals one hundred percent.” The restaurant will have many sides to it “I am planning to have a shop and a restaurant at the same time. Arts and crafts will be displayed in the restaurant. I want to have a special area for children which will  have Mexican toys. There will be a part of the restaurant where the children will come and play and use only Mexican toys.” 

Her husband, Dr. Goke Adegoroye who is present during the interview, explains “This is a concept of dining and shopping. As you sit down there, and as you are eating, there  will be  the colourful display of the ware in front of you, and the way she will set up the shop will attract you, and  it is going to be very unique.” He adds “The restaurant will be a place to dine and shop. People will be encouraged to eat healthy meals. Thats the philosophy  we are  bringing in, so that people can actually see the variety of things that are available.” 

Mrs. Adegoroye says “I have always had this idea. I have always wanted to have a restaurant. I like cooking.” This will be the first Mexican restaurant in Abuja when it becomes operational. Daily Trust is told that there is a Mexican restaurant in Lagos, but it also serves Chinese meals. The new restaurant coming up  in Abuja will be “the first purely Mexican restaurant which will serve no other type of meal.” Maria adds “Here our clients will enjoy one hundred per cent Mexican food, and the environment is going to be Mexican. There will be the use of loud Mexican colours on the walls, the shelves as well as the architecture of the place.” The restaurant will easily accommodate one hundred guests.

On the intended clientele for the restaurant, Dr. Adegoroye argues “We are still debating the clientele. Because we have limited space we need to cater for those in the middle class and above. But my wife says in the Mexican spirit that she wants the restaurant to be open to everybody, and that those who have one thousand Naira should be allowed to come. But those who have one thousand naira will spend more time on the table, and will not free it for those coming.” 

He adds that there will be a provision for take away meals as well as free internet at the restaurant. “In Mexico, every restaurant offers free internet and space for the children to play. The philosophy is that those who come to your restaurant should not be denied the comfort that they can feel even in their own homes. Thats the whole essence of the idea. People should come and feel  that they are at home. They will watch Mexican movies, listen to music and enjoy our fruit drinks.”

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