The Eko Flavours initiative, an innovative platform to highlight the state as Nigeria’s melting pot and the culinary prowess of young people and street sellers in the state, was introduced by the Lagos State Government.
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At a press conference held on Friday at the Fresh Food Hub at Idi Oro in the Mushin region of the State, Ms. Abiola Olusanya, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, unveiled the Eko Flavours. Olusanya stated that as part of the efforts by the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to better shape the state’s food system, the Eko Flavours project—which is in conjunction with the private sector—was established to push efforts to reform food markets in Lagos State.
She revealed that the 2024 edition of Eko Flavours will take place in August. She described it as an annual culinary platform where food sellers and chefs can display their skills and engage with food fans. The Commissioner emphasised the need for organised markets throughout the state, pointing out that they will facilitate food purchases and result in reduced costs for goods as demand can be tracked and pricing can be negotiated.
The primary goal of the Eko Flavours initiative is to present Lagos as a state that transforms experiences related to food, in addition to attracting the interest of young food enthusiasts and lovers. She observed, “We appear to be more suited to simply bringing our food into our kitchens without realising the complications involved in the producing side of things.
Olusanya stated that the Eko Flavours project would highlight the culinary abilities of several Lagos-based chefs, adding that locals would be delighted to see a variety of ethnic foods on display. According to her, in order to register to compete in the competition, chefs who need to have their Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) should visit the project’s official website, www.ekoflavours.lagosfreshfoodhub.com, starting on August 1. The Co-CEOs of Tantacom Group, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Mrs. Jennifer Odufuwa, who spoke at the press conference on behalf of the Project Management Agency, stated that all participants would receive consolation prizes that would adequately compensate them.
They also mentioned that the purpose of Lagos Flavours is to promote unity among all the different ethnic groups and tribes in the nation by using Lagos as a melting pot of diversity in cuisine. Adu added that the competition will give foodies in the state a platform to explore a variety of cuisines and to showcase their skills beyond their expectations.
The Eko Flavours project was created to find talents and bring together aspiring chefs, enthusiasts, and people who love cooking to engage with the community. She stated: “Participants can register on the competition website starting on August 1st, and on August 5th, locals can cast their ballots for their faves. The owners of the top 50 engaging posts on the website by August 9 will receive gift cards to purchase fresh food products from the Mushin Fresh Food Hub, which they will then prepare.
The top 20 chefs would then be invited to the culinary centre to compete, and the top five would be chosen for the August 31 final. Odufuwa stated that the winner of Lagos Flavours will receive a trophy, a certificate of achievement, an award plaque, a one-year supply of free products, a N5 million cash reward, an award plaque, and a shopping voucher worth N200,000 to be used at the Mushin Fresh Food Hub. The first runner-up will receive a N3 million cash prize, a six-month supply of products, a N100,000 shopping voucher, an award plaque, and a certificate of achievement. The second runner-up, according to her, will receive N1 million, along with a shopping voucher worth N50,000, a certificate of achievement, an award plaque, and a three-month supply of items. The fourth and fifth places will also receive monetary rewards. Simply tag us in a cooking vlog that you upload on social media.
Among the 50 cooks who will be chosen is the content that has received the most likes and comments. The top 20 from the 50 will advance to the final round, which consists of the quarterfinal and semifinal stages, from which the champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up will be determined. Taste, neatness, organisation of time, and presentation will be the criteria used to evaluate each candidate, she stated.
Speaking as well, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, urged numerous actors in the food ecosystem to seize the chance presented by Eko Flavours, arguing that it has the ability to propel them into the spotlight on a worldwide scale.
