When Modesty Simon, popularly known as La Chef Mo, introduces herself, she does so with quiet confidence and layered purpose. A Nigerian flight attendant and trained chef, she embodies a rare blend of discipline, creativity, and service. In this conversation with Just4WomenAfrica, Modesty opens up about her journey across the skies and into the kitchen, the challenges of juggling two demanding careers, and her vision to take African cuisine to the global stage.
Sharing Africa’s Culinary Gold with the World
For Modesty, becoming a chef was never just about cooking—it was about representation. She believes Africa holds “gold” when it comes to ingredients, spices, and herbs, yet African cuisine remains deeply underrepresented on the global food map.
Seeing this gap inspired her to be part of a new generation of chefs determined to showcase African food as equal to any contemporary cuisine in the world. Her work is rooted in pride, culture, and the belief that African flavors deserve global respect and recognition.
Choosing the Skies: Independence and Identity
Her journey into aviation came from a deeply personal place—the desire for independence. Becoming a flight attendant allowed Modesty to step away from familiar environments and expectations, giving her the freedom to define herself on her own terms.
Flying offered more than travel; it gave her space to grow, explore, and make her own mark in the world, free from the weight of external influences.
A Love for Food Born at Home
Modesty’s passion for food was nurtured early. Both her parents are exceptional cooks, with her mother famously cooking for schoolchildren who adored her meals. Years later, some of those children—now adults—still reach out to Modesty, reminiscing about her mother’s food and drawing connections to Modesty’s own culinary path.
For her, these memories are deeply affirming. “Children never lie,” she says—and their praise confirmed that food had always been part of her calling.
Juggling Two Demanding Worlds
Balancing a growing culinary business with a demanding aviation career has not been easy. With long duty hours, constant travel, and the pressures of entrepreneurship, Modesty admits there are moments she wonders if she is taking on too much.
Yet, her love for both professions keeps her grounded. Onboard, she finds fulfillment in passengers’ smiles and appreciation for good service. On the ground, she pours that same passion into creating memorable dining experiences for her guests. For now, she chooses not to abandon one dream for the other—believing each feeds a different part of her purpose.
Food, Travel, and Acquired Tastes
Travel has expanded Modesty’s palate in unforgettable ways. One of her most memorable food experiences was injera in Ethiopia—both her worst and best culinary encounter. Initially forced to eat it during training at Ethiopian Airlines Academy due to limited options, she disliked it at first.
Over time, injera grew on her. Today, it is a favorite—so much so that she actively seeks it out whenever she is in Abuja. The experience taught her the beauty of acquired tastes and cultural openness.
While she has not yet fully infused international inspirations into her menus, she plans to do so gradually. As her audience grows and trust in her brand deepens, she hopes to blend global influences into her Afro‑fusion offerings.
Service at the Core
If there is one thread that connects Modesty’s careers, it is service. She describes herself as “obsessed with service,” finding joy in being kind, helpful, and attentive to others.
Both aviation and hospitality allow her to show up as her authentic self—and be rewarded for it. For Modesty, service is not just a job; it is a calling.
Being a Woman in Aviation
Working in aviation is demanding for anyone, but for women, the challenges are layered. Long hours—often 12 to 16 hours per duty—time away from family, lack of weekends or holidays, and the pressure to always appear composed can be exhausting.
She also speaks candidly about disrespect from some passengers who mistake service for subservience—behavior she believes would be less likely if she were male. Still, professionalism remains non‑negotiable. Despite the challenges, she continues to show up with grace and excellence.
Becoming a Flight Attendant: Two Paths
Modesty explains that there are two main routes into aviation. The first is applying directly to airlines when they are hiring—successful candidates are trained by the airline.
The second, more structured path—common in Nigeria—involves attending aviation school, completing cabin crew training, passing the NCAA exam, and obtaining a license. This route can make candidates more competitive, as airlines do not need to retrain them extensively.
Cooking for Wizkid—and Beyond
If given the chance to cook for a celebrity, Modesty chooses Wizkid. Having heard him speak passionately about food, she believes he would truly appreciate her cooking. She also sees it as an opportunity for his partner, Jada, to experience Nigerian cuisine through his lens.
Her invitation is open—and heartfelt.
A 3–5 Year Vision: The Mimosa & Lash Mo
Modesty’s long‑term vision merges her two brands: The Mimosa and La Chef Mo.
For The Mimosa, she hopes to own a fully equipped kitchen and dedicated dining space where she can host intimate experiences comfortably. She also dreams of being invited across the world—New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Miami—to study local food scenes and create Afro‑fusion menus that marry global flavors with Nigerian roots.
For La Chef Mo, her goal is to travel with food as the focus—exploring unique culinary experiences worldwide and sharing them through storytelling, blogging, and social media.
Redefining the Flight Attendant Role
One of the biggest misconceptions about flight attendants, Modesty explains, is that their job is simply to serve food and drinks. In reality, safety is the core responsibility.
Flight attendants undergo rigorous annual training in first aid, emergency response, evacuations on land and water, and aviation medicine. In emergencies, they are passengers’ first line of defense.
“After God,” she says, “we are your best bet at being safe.”
Final Thoughts
Modesty’s story is one of courage, service, and intentional growth. Whether in the air or in the kitchen, she is building a life rooted in excellence, culture, and purpose—proving that African women can soar across industries while staying true to who they are.
— Just4WomenAfrica
