The second edition of the Lagos State government cooking show tagged Eko Flavours, is underway at the Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin.
This year’s edition themed My Lagos Food Story is organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in partnership with the Culinara Group.
Speaking with newsmen at the semi final cooking competition, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the culinary contest aims to spotlight local cuisines, promote food innovation and empower young chefs in the state’s growing food ecosystem.
While urging participants to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship as everyone cannot win, Ms Olusanya maintained that investment into the competition reflects the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment and the creative economy.
“We have seen the level of preparedness from the chefs, they have wowed us all, like I told them when I met with them, making it this far shows that they’re destined for great things.
“In years to come we hope to see these chefs from this platform be renowned like the famous Gordon Ramsay, we can’t wait to see the greatness and their full potential,” she said
Some of the Judges on the show including a Popular food critic, Mr Opeyemi Famakinwa and Mrs Ify Mogekwu also known as chef Ify commended Lagos State government for the initiative of Eko flavours and urged Nigerian chefs to explore beyond popular recipes such as jollof rice and suya, encouraging them to showcase the country’s vast culinary diversity to the global map.
“I’m not capping, I was here last year and I tell you for free then quality of chefs we have on this show is the best, they always come prepared.
“It goes to show that like most things Lagos State is a pioneer, and in the culinary space the same is being replicated. I expect the best food experience to tell the authentic Lagos story,” she said.
“We need to put other Nigerian dishes on the global map. There’s banga, fisherman’s soup, and so many flavours yet to be explored. Lagos is setting the stage for that kind of innovation,” he said.
The State’s Technical partners of Culinara Group, Mrs Jenifer Odufunwa and Mrs Funke Adu, described Eko Flavours as a platform that not only celebrates Lagos flavours but also connects chefs to business opportunities with a call on youths to tap into the booming culinary space.
“We are thrilled to see how Eko Flavours has evolved from an idea into a vibrant culinary movement,” Adu said.
“This second edition is not just about competition it’s about collaboration, visibility and giving Lagos chefs a stage to shine locally and internationally,” Odufunwa said.
Twenty contestants participated in the semi final with ten selected for the finals tomorrow as winner will go home with five million naira, first runner up wins three million naira while the second runner up goes home with two million naira with many consolation prizes.
Reporting byYemisi Dada