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A 10-year-old chef, Boluwatife Jaiye-Gbenle, has won a N3 million cash prize in the Lagos State Government culinary food-cooking competition tagged Eko Flavours Junior.
Jaiye-Gbenle defeated over 200 participants to become the Eko Flavours Junior Champion and Ambassador of the Lagos Food System in the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Culinara Group.
Oluwaseyifunmi Quassi emerged as first runner-up with a N2 million prize, while James Okafor and Akinsola Oluwatobiloba were both second runners-up, winning N1 million each, during the final of the competition held at the Fresh Food Hub Idi Oro, Mushin area of Lagos State.
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.
The Eko Flavours Junior Project is a culinary competition for children between 10 and 13 years old to showcase their talents in making delightful meals and to discover young cooking talents to promote healthy food culture.
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 I think 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.”
