On Saturday, October 19, chefs from different parts of Lagos will display their culinary skills at Spice It Up Lagos season 2, organised by Hon. Okey-Joe (HOJ) Foundation in partnership with Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Power Oil.
According to the Executive Director, Mazi Ikechukwu Oji, this year’s edition will surpass the maiden edition held last year in Oshodi-Isolo constituency 2. He said: “When you compare the season one held last year to this year’s season 2, it has grown bigger because it cuts across the whole of Lagos State, and we hope by next year, the competition will become a national event.”
The Project Committee Chairman, Comrade Bayode Bolaji Belinda, disclosed that the competition was initiated not just to enhance cooking skills, but also to promote healthy living.
“We see a lot of people die young probably because of what they eat: excess salt and spices. So, the competition is bringing out things one can use to cook daily meals. We want to see the competitors showcase those things and also educate the public on healthy living, which is the major thrust of the competition. Prospective participants are expected to visit our social media platforms for terms and conditions,” she said.
Asked about the sustainability of the competition in the wake of shrinking sponsorship budgets, the Programme Director, Women, Mrs. Ofamata Uchenna, stated: “HOJ Foundation is a Non-Profit Organisation dedicated to the wellbeing of the citizens. So, we will continue to embark on sponsorship drive. Last year, we had Haier Thermocool and a gas company that donated products for the winners and cash rewards that will be upped this time around. The competition is also initiated to commemorate the annual World Food Day (WFD), which comes up every October 16.”
On what the Foundation hopes to achieve with the competition, Special Adviser, Media and Communication to Hon. Okey Joe Onuakalusi, Dr. Chuks Nwosu, said that Spice It Up Lagos harnesses all the efforts of both the old and new chefs in the hospitality industry, adding, “In this year’s World Food Day, the competition will unfurl new talents through the endorsement deal of Dufil Prima Foods’ Power Oil brand.”
He noted that the competition would help to ease off the financial burden of winners such that at the end, they will take home something that will bring about effective and efficient changes in their businesses.