Wale Jagun
The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in furtherance of its commitment to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Lagos through various initiatives and events aimed at highlighting the city’s diverse traditions and enhancing its appeal as a cultural destination, is planning a food festival tagged: “A Taste of Lagos” in October 2024.
The festival is designed to showcase the food culture and lifestyle of ethnic communities and foreign cultures in Lagos, including African countries, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Spanish cuisines to add colour to the event.
The State Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka disclosed this recently while receiving members of the Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria (APFSPN), who were on a courtesy visit to her office. She stated that the idea of the food festival sprung from her experiences of the one she attended in October last year and another smaller one by a food enthusiast whose culinary expertise and presentation were worthy of emulation.
Benson-Awoyinka expressed her enthusiasm for the festival, stressing its potential to boost tourism and celebrate the vibrant food culture of Lagos. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Ministry and the Food Association to ensure the success of the planned food festival.
Members of the Food Association highlighted their commitment to making the event a landmark celebration of Lagos’ gastronomic diversity. They praised the Ministry’s efforts in promoting tourism through culinary events and pledged their full support in organising a successful ‘A Taste of Lagos’ food festival.
The courtesy visit underscored the strong partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture and key stakeholders in the food service industry as both parties are dedicated to enhancing Lagos’ reputation as a premier destination for food tourism.
‘A Taste of Lagos’ food festival promises to be a remarkable event, celebrating the city’s culinary excellence and offering a platform for local chefs and food service providers to showcase their talents. The festival will feature a variety of food exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions while providing an immersive experience for all attendees.
