After an exciting and highly competitive selection process, 50 talented individuals emerged as official contestants for the 2024 edition of Eko Flavours, Lagos State’s groundbreaking culinary competition that brought together food vendors, professional chefs, and passionate home cooks from across the state.
The selection event, held at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, marked a significant milestone in the journey toward discovering the next culinary stars of Lagos. The edition attracted an overwhelming response, with over 150 video submissions from aspiring participants eager to share their culinary stories and compete for recognition.
Addressing journalists after the selection round, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the vision behind the initiative. “Eko Flavours is a transformative platform that reflects Lagos as the cultural and culinary melting pot of Nigeria. It’s not just about food; it’s about identity, innovation, and economic empowerment, especially for our youth and market vendors,” she explained.
She emphasized that the competition was part of a larger initiative to reform food systems and revitalize local food markets, in alignment with the Sanwo-Olu administration’s broader goals. With support from private sector partners, Eko Flavours served as more than just a contest , it was a celebration of culture, entrepreneurship, and sustainable food practices.
During the selection process, entries were reviewed based on creativity, passion, culinary storytelling, and alignment with the competition’s goals. From over 150 applicants, the list was narrowed down to 70, and finally, the top 50 contestants were selected to move forward in the contest.
With the contestants confirmed, the competition advanced into its next phases, the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, setting the tone for what became one of Lagos’ most exciting culinary journeys yet.
