By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has announced its readiness to launch the debut edition of Eko Flavours Junior, a culinary competition aimed at nurturing and showcasing young culinary talents across the state.
Organized in partnership with Culinara—Nigeria’s leading culinary platform—the competition is set to kick off in May 2025, and will feature school-aged children from the state’s six educational districts.
In a statement issued on Friday by Culinara’s Co-Chief Executive Officers, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Mrs. Jennifer Odufuwa, the initiative was described as a unique opportunity to inspire creativity, promote Nigerian food culture, and build early interest in culinary arts.
“This competition provides an engaging platform for children to explore the art of cooking, celebrate Nigeria’s rich food culture, and compete for the prestigious title of Eko Flavours Junior Champion,” the statement read.
Unlike the senior edition, Eko Flavours Junior will adopt a district-based competition format to ensure wide participation. The event will unfold in two phases: Preliminary District Competitions commencing in early May, and a Grand Finale scheduled for July 22, 2025, at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
Each participating school will be represented by two students, and the top teams from the six districts will advance to the final stage, where they will compete in a high-stakes culinary showdown.
“The grand finale will also double as a food festival, featuring food exhibitions, live entertainment, mentorship sessions with professional chefs, and time-bound cooking challenges,” the organisers stated.
The project is positioned not only as a contest but as an educational platform to instill teamwork, discipline, and sustainability practices while promoting food as both an art form and a viable career path.
