LASG rewards chefs with N10m

The Lagos State Government has rewarded young culinary talents with N10m and other prizes at the Eko Flavours Food Competition, themed “A Lagos Food Story.”

The event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Culinara Group, was held on Saturday at the Fresh Food Hub, Mushin, and featured 10 contestants who showcased their creativity in four categories — sandwich-making, appetisers, main course, and dessert.

Speaking at the finale, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative was designed to strengthen linkages across the food value chain — from research and production to processing, distribution, and culinary innovation.

“Most of the people competing today are young, between the ages of 20 and 35. We see this as a springboard to catapult their businesses and vocational skills to greater heights,” Olusanya said.

The overall winner, Agabus Agboye, received N5m, while the first runner-up, Rotimi Oluwadamilola, and the second runner-up, Alexander Peace, got N3m and N2m.

Other contestants received consolation prizes and gift items from the event’s partners.

Olusanya added that the state was intensifying efforts to boost local food production through the “Produce for Lagos” programme, aimed at connecting producers to markets and ensuring fair prices and quality.

The Co-founder of Culinara Group, Jennifer Odufuwa, said the competition was designed to spotlight emerging chefs and connect them with opportunities in the growing food industry.

“We’re showcasing the next generation of culinary giants in Nigeria. Beyond cash prizes, they’ll gain partnerships, visibility, and access to an accelerator programme to help them understand the business side of being a chef,” she said.

Odufuwa added that the initiative aims to combine culinary creativity, entrepreneurship, and content creation to nurture the next global ambassadors of Nigerian cuisine.

“When you pair their craft with entrepreneurship and content creation, we’ll definitely have the next Ify’s Kitchen or Hilda Baci. That’s what we’re pursuing here,” she said.