Nigerian actress Wumi Toriola has fired back at self-proclaimed food critic Opeyemi Famakin after he weighed in on her ongoing dispute with popular food blogger Chef T, also known as Diary of a Kitchen Lover.
Famakin, known for his outspoken opinions on food and culinary brands, took to Instagram to weigh in on the situation, defending Chef T against Toriola’s public criticism.
His remarks, however, did not sit well with Toriola, who swiftly fired back with a scathing response.
The controversy initially began when Toriola publicly called out Chef T for ignoring her request for a collaboration back in August 2024. Sharing a screenshot of their conversation, she accused the food blogger of being dismissive and unwilling to support others.
The issue sparked mixed reactions online, with some people siding with the actress while others felt she was overreacting. In the midst of the heated debate, Famakin jumped in, offering his take on the matter and firmly defending Chef T.
Without mentioning Toriola’s name directly, Famakin posted a lengthy Instagram statement criticizing her for making the matter public.
“There is an actress dragging Chef T after reaching out for a collaboration, and because she didn’t get a response, Chef T is now a bad person, according to her,” he wrote.
His comments suggested that Toriola’s reaction was unnecessary and that not receiving a response to a collaboration request did not warrant public criticism.
Famakin continued his defense of Chef T, making it clear that he did not approve of the way Toriola handled the situation.
“This person shared the DM between her and Chef T where she pitched herself, and Chef T didn’t answer. Next thing, she is dragging her. We don’t do Chef T slander here; she’s a sweetheart. In the food space, she is positively contributing, and I’m not going to stand and watch an actress drag her over a collaboration she did not get. We don’t do that here.”
His firm stance immediately fueled more reactions online, with supporters and critics clashing over his comments.
Toriola, however, was not about to let Famakin’s remarks go unanswered. Taking to Instagram, she issued a direct and unfiltered response, calling him a coward for failing to mention her name while addressing the issue.
“Dear Opeyemi, there’s really no need to act like a coward. My name is Wumi Toriola, and I’m merely responding to your tantrums and desperate need for attention,” she wrote, setting the tone for her rebuttal.
The actress went on to question Famakin’s credibility, dismissing his profession as a food critic and suggesting that his contributions to the industry had been more harmful than beneficial.
“If it brings you even a shred of relevance, I truly don’t mind. It’s rather amusing, though, coming from someone without a defined career or any tangible job description. You’ve caused more harm than good to struggling entrepreneurs, all under the guise of being a self-appointed food critic.”
Her sharp words resonated with her supporters, who felt she had every right to defend herself.
Toriola didn’t stop there. She advised Famakin to “establish a long-term career” before coming after her again. “Next time you feel the urge to come for me, perhaps take a moment to reflect, establish a long-term career or build a successful business of your own. That way, your words might carry a little more weight. Sincerely, Wumi Toriola.” Her closing remark was seen as a direct challenge to Famakin’s credibility, suggesting that he lacked the experience or success to be taken seriously in such discussions.
As the drama continues to unfold, social media users remain divided, with some praising Toriola for standing her ground and others arguing that Famakin had a valid point. While neither Chef T nor Famakin has responded to Toriola’s latest remarks, the feud has reignited conversations about industry gatekeeping, professional boundaries, and the importance of constructive criticism in Nigeria’s entertainment and culinary spaces.
