Emmanuel lkpeama
The Honourable Okey Joe Foundation (HOJ) in conjunction with Power Oil Company has flag off a culinary extravaganza that brings about innovation and creativity tagged” Spice it up Lagos Cooking Competition, Season 2″
The Spice it up Lagos Cooking Competition Season 2 was unveiled during a flag off ceremony held at the foundation office, Ejigbo Lagos State
The competition which commences from 4th to 16th of October,2024 would be an outfall bringing cultural device, honouring traditions and igniting innovations where amateur cheff and upcoming cook would showcase their unique styles, technique and flair by encouraging creativity, experimentation and be empowered.
In his welcome address,the Executive Director, Honourable Okey Joe Foundation,Mazi lkechukwu Peacemark Oji stated that the competition which is in partnership with Power Oil Company,also the second edition would be a mind blowing competition as new talents would be discovered and empowered.
Mazi Oji went further to state that the competition is meant to be a culinary platform for young chefs to showcase their talent because healthy food is a healthy life.
“The main aim of Spice it up Lagos, cooking competition,aside from engaging young culinary enthusiasts and food lovers, is to showcase Lagos as a transformative state when it comes to experiences around food. We seem to have more affinity for just getting our foods inside our kitchen without understanding the logistics that go into the production side of things” he said.
He said that all participants would be adequately compensated with consolation prizes, noting that the idea of the competition is to encourage unity among all the various ethnicities and tribes with their various cooking skills and dishes in Lagos as the melting point of diversification in the country.
The Chairman Committee of the Spice it Up Lagos Season 2, Comrade Bolaji Belinda Bayode noted that the competition would bring together talented chef from diverse background that would bring about culinary excellence, creativity and passion.
She opined that the competition is not just for cooking but about an healthy living because individuals die due to what they eat and the kind of spices that is being used in cooking..
Comrade Bayode highlighted the terms and conditions, while urging the contestants to follow the rules guiding the competition as they are free to cook any local meal of their choice using their skills while cooking.
Speaking to newsmen,the Program Director Women and Health for Honourable Okey Joe Foundation, Mrs Uchenna Oformatta stated that the registration would be done online, including the preliminary contest which is meant for both male and female of 20-40 years of age for the entire Lagos state.
Mrs Uchenna said that the competition is in commemoration.with the World food day which comes up every 16th of October.
“Last year the competition was only for Oshodi/lsolo 2 State Constituency and that was our first edition and this year we are having it with power oil company, our mission in HOJ Foundation revolves around promoting preliminary excellence, fostering creativity and building community engagement”
“The essence of the competition is to empower amateur cheff so as to showcase their unique style technique and flair by encouraging creativity because in the foundation we help them to foster their innovative recipes, celebrate diverse flavor and develop entrepreneurship leaders so as to celebrate the universe of language of food to uncover hidden talents.”she submitted.
Lending his voice,Admin Mazi Chuks Nwosu,the Special Adviser to the Honourable Member representing Oshodi/lsolo State Constituency 2 at the National Assembly on Media and Communication noted that the competition would harness the efforts of both the old and new cheff in showcasing their skills and discovering new talents,as the competition would showcase the cooking skills of different chefs who reside in Lagos, noting that various cultural dishes would be displayed to the delight of residents.
Mazi Nwosu said,” the Spice it up Lagos, Cooking Competition Season 2 organised by HOJ Foundation in conjunction with Power Oil would encourage new talents, develop new entrepreneurs and at the end of the competition,the beneficiary would go home with a mouth watering gifts that would boost up their businesses.”
“The competitors are cooking for healthy living,they are competing and they are showcasing their skills, with this so many talents would be discovered. Let me seize this opportunity to thank Honourable Okey Joe Onuakalusi for such initiative and empowering the young entrepreneurs, also thanking the sponsors, Power Oil for this year competition while looking forward for 3.0.”he stated.
The winner of the 1st edition of Spice it up cooking competition,Mrs Jairus Amaka Peace commended the Honourable Member,Hon. Okey Joe Onuakalusi for the good work he is doing in the Constituency and for coming up with such initiative to encourage young entrepreneurs.
She said,”l want to thank Honourable Okey Joe for the good work, before now l was not doing well in my business as l don’t have enough equipments and resources until l entered into the competition and won the competition which now gave me a standing four burner gas cooker, used in cooking and baking. I was equally given the sum of N150,000 so as to boost my business.”
” I want to use this medium to encourage those coming up to remain focus,be serious and determined. My special prayers goes to Hon Okey Joe and the HOJ Foundation for what they are doing to alleviate the suffering of the people “she stated.
Those in attendance were the Sariki Hausa of Ejigbo and Okota ,the NYCN Coordinator of Ejigbo and lsolo,the Labour Party Chairman of Oshodi/lsolo Local government and other stakeholders in Oshodi/lsolo 2 State Constituency
