Chef Agabus Agboye has won a N5 million star prize in the Lagos State Government culinary food cooking competition tagged ‘Eko Flavours Season 2’.
Agboye defeated other participants to become the Eko Flavours Season 2 Champion in a contest organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in conjunction with the Culinara Group.
Martha Oluwadamilola Rotimi emerged as first runner-up with a N3 million prize, while Peace Alexander was second runner-up, winning N1 million, during the final of the competition held at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin area of Lagos State at the weekend.
Enwere Glory and Daniel Akagha, who were part of the top five, and other finalists who participated in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the cooking competition were also rewarded for their efforts with consolation prizes.
The highpoint of the Eko Flavours Season 2 was a sideline cooking competition between the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, and a popular food critic, Opeyemi Famakinwa, which was won by the Commissioner, to the amazement of spectators.
Speaking after his victory, an emotional Chef Agboye expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the platform to showcase his talents with a promise to improve on his culinary skills.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. This is a dream come true after years of hard work and dedication. I want to thank the Lagos State Government and the organisers of Eko Flavours for believing in young chefs like me. This win means I must keep improving and give my best to represent Lagos proudly,” he said.
Oluwadamilola Rotimi, who emerged as the first runner-up, also expressed excitement and appreciation for the experience, describing the competition as ‘a journey of discovery and growth.’
“This competition has opened my eyes to what is possible in Lagos’ food industry. We have incredible talent here, and I am proud to be part of this culinary evolution,” she said.
Speaking during the competition attended by government officials, sponsors from private organisations, and large crowds from different sectors, Olusanya noted that every participant is a winner due to the rigorous and keenly contested competition.
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.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, said Eko Flavours was designed to identify and promote culinary talents who could represent the state’s diversity through food while creating opportunities for self-employment and innovation.
