Eko Flavours is back  bigger, bolder, and even more flavorful! After the resounding success of its maiden edition last year, Culinara Group’s premier culinary competition has officially launched Eko Flavours 2.0, and registration is now open for aspiring chefs and passionate home cooks across the state. This exciting event is organized by the Culinara Group in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, and it continues to celebrate the rich diversity, talent, and creativity within Lagos’ vibrant food culture. A Look Back at the First Edition The first-ever Eko Flavours was nothing short of spectacular. It brought together some of Lagos’ most talented culinary minds, each with a unique story and creative flair. Chef Isaiah Oyede stole the spotlight and emerged as the grand champion, taking home a grand prize of ₦5 million. The first runner-up, Omobonike Awosanmi, received ₦3 million, while second runner-up Oreoluwakitan Badejo earned ₦1 million. Finalists Ibidun Layade and Enitan Akorede also impressed with their creativity, winning ₦600,000 and ₦400,000 respectively. The event was more than a competition; it was a celebration of Lagos’ food heritage, a showcase of innovation, and a platform for chefs to share their passion with a wider audience. It left both participants and spectators eagerly anticipating what would come next. Eko Flavours 2.0 The second edition of Eko Flavours promises to be even more exciting, with bigger challenges, more opportunities for contestants, and heightened competition. Whether you’re a professional chef, a culinary student, or a home cook with a dream, this is your chance to showcase your skills, creativity, and passion for food. Just like the previous edition, this year’s competition will feature multiple stages, including online registration, selection, voting rounds, and a grand finale where the top contestants will face off in front of a live audience and expert judges. Along the way, participants will not only compete for incredible prizes but also gain valuable exposure, build networks, and inspire other food lovers across Lagos. How to Register for Eko Flavours 2.0 Registration for Eko Flavours 2.0 is officially open and completely online. Here’s how to secure your spot: Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with further details about the next steps in the competition. If you believe you have what it takes to be Lagos’ next culinary champion, register now and take the first step toward making your mark on the city’s food scene. 

In a heartwarming celebration of talent, passion, and Nigeria’s rich food culture, 10-year-old Boluwatife Jaiye Gbenle emerged as the grand winner of the Eko Flavours Junior Grand Finale, taking home a ₦3 million cash prize. The final event, held on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Idi Oro, Mushin, marked the peak of a spirited culinary competition that saw over 200 talented young chefs compete from across Lagos State. Boluwatife impressed judges and guests with his creativity, technical skills, and bold presentation. He earned the prestigious title of Eko Flavours Junior Champion and was named an Ambassador of the Lagos State Food System Oluwaseyifunmi Quassi emerged as first runner-up with a ₦2 million prize, while James Okafor and Akinsola Oluwatobiloba were both second runners-up, winning ₦1 million each during the final of the competition held at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos. Adelugba Semilore, Agugua Kamsi, Princess Tifeoluwani, Muhammadul Awwal Tijani, Oluwatara Semilore Marvellous, and Adewara Daystar, who were part of the 10 finalists, were also rewarded for their efforts with consolation prizes. Speaking during the final of the competition attended by government officials, sponsors from private organisations, and large crowds from different sectors, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative was conceived by the wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo Olu, to encourage creativity and teamwork among children as well as pride in the nation’s food heritage. Olusanya, who was optimistic that the competition would create job opportunities and a sustainable future in the food sector, urged participants to see the competition as a stepping stone to greater heights in the culinary sector. She said “It is a big win for the winners. Everyone here won today. But more importantly, we have achieved our aim of showcasing the culinary skills of our kids and also exposing them to the fact that there is a lot of opportunity in the food system space. For the winners, I believe they are going to get endorsement deals from some of our sponsors. They would work with us in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems as our ambassadors.” “We have a lot of events that we also need catering services for, so nothing stops them from being a part of us. And that is the essence of what we are doing, creating chefs, master creators, and food content creators for the future.” Speaking about the competition, the co-CEO of Culinara Group, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Jennifer Oduduwa, commended all the participants for putting in their efforts in the competition, saying they are all winners. Adu said the Eko Flavour Junior was organised to encourage a shift from the regular white collar job for the young minds to embrace culinary and other vocational skills to excel in life. She challenged parents to train their children from a young age in cooking, washing, and other house chores to be useful to themselves and the society at large. Odufuwa said about 200 participants took part in the event, out of which 10 people and 20 people who participated in the semi-final of the cooking competition were selected as finalists to participate in the Grand Finale that produced Jaiye-Gbenle as Eko Flavour Junior Champion.  She said: “We want to encourage the children that beyond the classroom, they can take on leadership roles in terms of the skills and the things that bring family together, which is cooking. Cooking is one of the things that bring families together. We want the kids to know that they can aspire to be somebody within the food ecosystem.”  The Eko Flavours Junior competition, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in partnership with The Culinara Group, is a clear example of how food can be a powerful tool for youth empowerment and national development.

Date: July 26, 2025 Top 10 Finalists Emerge in the Eko Flavours Junior 2025 Cooking Competition Lagos, Nigeria – The culinary heat turned up a notch at the semi-finals of Eko Flavours Junior 2025, as 10 exceptional junior chefs secured their place in the grand finale of Lagos’ premier children’s food talent showcase. Organized by Culinara Group in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the event is part of an ongoing effort to discover, groom, and celebrate the next generation of food innovators from across the state. At the end of the semi-final showdown, Honourable Commissioner Ms. Abisola Olusanya gave an inspiring charge to the Top 20 contestants, applauding their creativity, discipline, and passion for food. She congratulated the Top 10 Finalists, encouraging them to continue nurturing their talents as ambassadors of Lagos’ food culture. The Top 10 who will now battle it out at the Grand Finale on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro Mushin, are:• Chef Timothy (Akinsola Oluwatobiloba Timothy)• Chef Semilore (Adelugba Oluwasemilore)• Chef Daystar (Adewara Daystar)• Chef Bolu (Boluwatife Jaiye)• Chef Marvellous (Oluwataramise Marvellous Afolabi)• Chef Tijani (Muhammadul Awwal Tijani)• Chef Kamsi (Agugua Kamsi)• Chef Princess (Princess Tifoluwani Adepiton)• Chef James (James Okafor)• Chef Precious (Quassi Oluwaseyifunmi Precious) The competition is proudly powered by Culinara Group and supported by a robust network of partners, including:👉 FirstBank Nigeria👉 Olam Agri👉 Eko Rice👉 Woodscope👉 Nestlé Pure Life👉 FanMilk Nigeria👉 TGI Group👉 Tomi Drink👉 Indomie Nigeria👉 Fiesta👉 Bonjour👉 LACE With ₦10,000,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, the grand finale will feature a thrilling 3-course meal challenge, audience engagement, culinary entertainment, and a live showcase of Lagos’ brightest young talents. 📍 Attendance is free, but registration is required at: ekoflavours.com/event Media Contact:John FadejolaHead, Marketing & CommunicationsEko Flavours Junior 2025📞 +234 706 236 7247📧 info@culinaragroup.com

The Top 50 contestants of Eko Flavours Junior went head-to-head in a public voting phase that officially closed at 9:00 PM on Sunday, July 20th, 2025. Following this, the Top 20 finalists were unveiled on Monday, July 21, marking the next major step in Lagos’ most exciting youth culinary competition. The young chefs were selected based on votes cast by the public. With this stage now complete, the spotlight is on the 20 who will move forward to the next round. View the full Top 20 announcement on Instagram Meet the Top 20 Each contestant earned their place through public support, showcasing their passion for food and commitment to the challenge. These names now advance to the semi-finals along with 16 other talented young chefs. The Top 20 will now prepare for the semi-final stage, where they’ll take on practical cooking challenges in a live studio setting. The competition offers a chance to win from N10 MILLION worth of prizes, including culinary kits, tools, training opportunities, and more. Eko Flavours Junior is designed to inspire early interest in culinary skills, creativity, and food enterprise among school-aged children. Through mentorship, competition, and hands-on experience, it provides a platform to nurture the next generation of food innovators. Stay tuned as the journey continues. The heat is just getting started.

In a strategic build-up to the maiden edition of Eko Flavours Junior, the Culinara Group, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, and the Lagos State Ministry of Education, successfully hosted a high-level Stakeholder Dialogue themed “Flavours of the Future” on Friday, June 13th, 2025. The event, held at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room, brought together key public and private sector stakeholders, educational leaders, brand partners, and creative collaborators to unveil and align on the vision and execution roadmap for Eko Flavours Junior 2025 — a groundbreaking culinary initiative targeted at children aged 10–13 across Lagos State. In Attendance:The session was graced by the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Systems, key directors from the Ministries of Education and Agriculture, brand sponsors, members of the Eko Flavours Senior 2024 Top 20 Cohort (now serving as official mentors), and the newly announced Brand Ambassador, award-winning child actor Darasimi Nadi, who reaffirmed her commitment to representing the spirit of excellence and creativity that Eko Flavours Junior embodies. Project Overview:The Eko Flavours Junior competition is a multi-stage culinary challenge designed to foster early interest in the culinary arts, empower creativity and teamwork, and showcase Lagos as the food capital of Africa. The competition officially kicks off on June 16th, 2025, with online entry submissions, culminating in a live Grand Finale showdown on July 26th, 2025, at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Idi Oro Mushin. Competition Timeline Highlights: Speaking at the event, the Hon. Commissioner emphasized the State’s dedication to nurturing talents through food innovation and education. He noted that Eko Flavours Junior is not just a culinary contest, but “a transformative movement shaping the future of food systems and empowering the next generation of food entrepreneurs.” Brand Partners were also engaged in discussions on content visibility, mentorship, competition format, and experiential branding opportunities. About Eko Flavours JuniorAn initiative of the Culinara Group, Eko Flavours Junior is the youth edition of the award-winning Eko Flavours competition, which seeks to invest in the future of culinary innovation, sustainability, and enterprise. For Press Inquiries & Media Partnerships:Email: info@culinaragroup.comSocials: @theekoflavours Eko Flavours JuniorFlavours of the Future

Lagos State has officially unveiled Eko Flavours Junior Edition, a school-based culinary competition designed to discover and nurture culinary talents among students aged 10–13. The initiative, themed “Flavours of the Future”, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Systems, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Culinara Group, and other key stakeholders. During the unveiling event, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, emphasized that the competition is not just about cooking but also about exposing students to the interconnectedness of agriculture, food, education, and career opportunities. The aim is to inspire creativity and promote a culture of innovation and sustainability in the food sector. Key Dates & Format The competition timeline includes: Exciting Rewards Winners will receive generous cash prizes: These incentives are designed to motivate young participants and support their future development in food and nutrition careers. The program goes beyond competition. Through mentorship, hands-on cooking experiences, and exposure to food system concepts, students will learn essential skills in: Project Lead John Fadejola noted that the initiative introduces students to agriculture in a relatable way, building interest in food systems and innovation. The Lagos State Government sees Eko Flavours Junior as part of its broader youth development strategy. Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Audu reinforced the program’s alignment with the state’s vision to promote family bonding, create jobs, and achieve food security through knowledge-sharing and early exposure.If you know a student who fits the criteria, now is the time to encourage them to register before June 30.

The Commissioner, Abisola Olusanya and Permanent Secretary for Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems (Audu Emmanuel) on Friday May 16, hosted the Eko Flavours team to a strategic alignment meeting with the Ministry of Education, alongside Educational District Heads and other key stakeholders. The session focused on finalizing the participating schools for the maiden edition of Eko Flavours Junior, while strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration around culinary education, youth engagement, and the broader vision for food system development in Lagos. With shared commitment and the momentum behind this movement, Eko Flavours Junior is set to make history, shaping young minds, spotlighting culinary excellence, and delivering a legacy of impact that will be felt far beyond the kitchen.

The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has launched the Eko Flavours initiative, a culinary competition designed to showcase the rich and diverse food culture of Lagos. Coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, the event aims to promote local talent and culinary creativity. Registration for Eko Flavours opened on August 8, 2024, and is open to residents aged 18 and above who possess a valid Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRRA) card. The competition offers participants a unique platform to display their culinary skills, with judging based on creativity, social media engagement, and the overall appeal of their dishes. The competition’s structure includes multiple stages: the top 50 contestants, determined by social media engagement, will advance to specific tasks. From there, the top 20 will proceed to the quarterfinals at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Idi Oro, Mushin, on September 28. Subsequent rounds will narrow the field to 10 semifinalists and then to five finalists, culminating in a grand finale on October 5. Prizes include ₦5 million for the winner, ₦3 million for the first runner-up, and ₦1 million for the second runner-up, with additional consolation prizes for other deserving contestants. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, emphasized the state’s commitment to promoting local talent and celebrating Lagos’s food culture through initiatives like Eko Flavours.