Chef Agabus Agboye has emerged winner of the second edition of Eko Flavours, a Lagos State–backed culinary competition created to spotlight creativity and innovation in telling the Lagos food story.
He triumphed over forty-nine contestants after a rigorous selection process and live cooking showdown at the Lagos Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin, carting home the ₦5 million star prize.
Chefs Martha Rotimi and Peace Alexander came first and second runners-up, receiving ₦3 million and ₦1 million respectively.
An emotional Chef Agboye thanked the Lagos State Government for providing a platform to showcase his talent, vowing to refine his skills and represent Lagos on the global culinary stage.
“This is a dream come true after years of hard work. I’m grateful for this opportunity and will keep improving to make Lagos proud,” he said.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, commended all contestants, describing every participant as a winner.
She urged them to leverage the exposure and experience gained from the competition as a launchpad to greater professional heights.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, said Eko Flavours aims to promote culinary talents capable of expressing Lagos’s diversity through food while fostering innovation and self-employment.
He revealed that exceptional contestants will feature in the upcoming Greater Lagos Fiesta in December, noting, “We are building ambassadors of Lagos culture through food.”
Similarly, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Olurotimi Fashola, highlighted the improved digitalised judging process and transparency of this year’s edition.
He lauded the creativity and innovation displayed, saying, “What we are witnessing is the birth of a new generation of chefs redefining Nigerian cuisine with recipes we can proudly call our own.”
One of the technical partners and judge, Mrs. Funke Adu, Co-CEO of Culinara Group, praised the participants for their resilience and creativity.
She noted that every contestant left with greater confidence and exposure, affirming Culinara’s commitment to mentoring emerging chefs to tell more “Lagos stories” through their dishes.
A fun highlight of Eko Flavours Season 2 was a surprise cook-off between Commissioner Abisola Olusanya and popular food critic Opeyemi Famakinwa.
To the delight of the crowd, the Commissioner emerged victorious, capping an eventful celebration of Lagos growing culinary excellence.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada