Lagos Crowns New Culinary King As Chef Agboye Wins N5m In Eko Flavours Competition
As a way of promoting culinary tourism, celebrate local ingredients and empower youths in the hospitality and food value chain, the Lagos State government has hosted another season of The Eko Flavours Season 2 competition, where Chef Agabus Agboye has won a N5 million star prize for emerging as the first position.
Agboye defeated other participants to become the Eko Flavours Season 2 Champion in a contest organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Culinara Group themed, “A Lagos Food Story”.
In the same vein, Martha Rotimi emerged as first runner-up with a N3 million prize, while Peace Alexander emerged second runner-up, winning N1 million, during the final of the competition held at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin area of Lagos State.
Similarly, other finalists who participated in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the cooking competition were also rewarded for their efforts with consolation prizes, alongside people who took the top five positions, like Enwere Glory and Daniel Akagha.
In the light of this event, participants expressed their profound gratitude to the Lagos state government and the organizers of the event, while promising to improve their culinary skills, deriving motivation from their participation.
Speaking during the competition attended by government officials, sponsors from private organisations and people from different sectors, The commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, noted that every participant is a winner due to the rigorous process of the competition. While expressing her optimism that the competition would create job opportunities and sustainable future in the food sector, Olusanya urged participants to see the competition as a stepping stone to greater heights in the culinary sector.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, said Eko Flavours was designed to identify and promote culinary talents who could represent the state’s diversity through food while creating opportunities for self-employment and innovation.
He assured that outstanding contestants would be showcased in the upcoming Greater Lagos Fiesta in December, adding that Eko Flavours had become a key part of the state’s creative economy and youth empowerment strategy.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr Olurotimi Fashola, highlighted the improved digitalised judging process and transparency of this year’s edition, adding “What we are witnessing is the birth of a generation of chefs who can redefine Nigerian cuisine. Our dream is to create unique recipes and dishes that originate from Lagos – something we can patent and proudly call our own”.
