The recently concluded African Food and Drinks Festival Lagos, hosted by the African Food Network, was a gastronomic delight, showcasing the rich tapestry of flavors, cultures, and culinary traditions from across the continent.
Held at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island on November the 19th, the event brought together food enthusiasts, chefs, brands and vendors in a celebration of Africa’s diverse culinary heritage. The event was hosted by MC Day and Butterfly of Lagos
1. Culinary Extravaganza
Attendees were treated to a culinary extravaganza featuring a wide array of dishes representing various regions of Africa. Festival goers also had the opportunity to sample freebies prepared by the event’s sponsors: Golden Penny Noodles, Malta Guiness, Airtel, among others. The festival’s exhibitors Loya Milk and Addmie were also on ground to delight the attendees.
2. Masterful Chefs and Cooking Demonstrations
In the masterclass session hosted by Onga, renowned Chef Giggles and Zen Master George graced the audience with their presence. They showcased a fusion of Africa and Asia in their masterclass and gave attendees the opportunity to taste their final presentation.
3. Marketplace of Delights
Over 30 diverse vendors were present at the African Food and Drinks Festival Lagos. The marketplace was a bustling hub of activity, with vendors proudly displaying an assortment of dishes, snacks, spices, condiments, drinks and exotic ingredients unique to African cuisine.
4. Cultural Showcases
Beyond the culinary delights, the festival celebrated Africa’s vibrant cultural heritage. The Eyo Masquerades opened up the festival with their signature white robes and enthusiastic dancing, showcasing the history of Lagos through their dance routine.
Later in the evening, the Ogene Cultural Group also came to perform, to the immense delight of the audience; their performance told the story of the Igbo culture.
5. Community Engagement
During the highly anticipated cooking competition, proudly sponsored by Onga and the African Food Network, attendees were given a change to prove their rap skills. Out of the 5 potentials who came on stage to prove their rapping prowess, the ‘maninred’ emerged as the winner of the battle, although all 5 contestants walked away with gifts bags, courtesy of Onga.
Several games were played to engage the audience and there was even a mini dancing competition, spear headed by the incredible DJ Elsie, which the audience loved.
Additionally, the more creative festival goers even had the chance to join the clay moulding class and create clay sculptures.
6. Global Fusion
While rooted in African traditions, the African Food and Drinks Festival Lagos embraced a global perspective, showcasing how African cuisine has evolved and influenced culinary trends worldwide. The fusion of flavors and techniques illustrated the dynamic nature of African food, making it a global culinary force.
7. Cooking Competition
The Jollof rice cooking competition, also sponsored by Onga, saw 5 cooks try to beat each other to create the Jollof of the Festival.
The judges for the cooking session were online celebrity critics: yourfoodgirl, Paul Kezu and Restaurant Critic. Finally, a winner emerged with over 60% of the judges’ votes. The food made by the contestants was shared among the audience, to also get their input.
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The 2023 African Food and Drinks Festival Lagos, proudly hosted by the African Food Network, proved to be a resounding success, providing a platform for cultural exchange, gastronomic exploration, and community building.
As the flavors linger and memories of the vibrant event endure, attendees left with a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of African cuisine.
