Fuji musician, Alhaji Taye Currency, and a team of professional chefs are expected to headline the Ibadanchops’N’Chill culinary, entertainment and lifestyle festival in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, which is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 food lovers, chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs, influencers, media personalities and entertainment enthusiasts, is designed to celebrate Nigerian food culture and empower emerging culinary talents.
The convener of the event, Chinwendu Fetus, popularly known as Chef Wendy, disclosed this in a statement issued ahead of the festival.
According to her, the event will be held under the theme, “Empowering Young Chefs, Celebrating Nigerian Flavours,” with activities combining culinary competition, live music, entertainment, networking and lifestyle experiences.
Chef Wendy said Taye Currency would headline the entertainment segment with a live performance, adding that the presence of the Fuji musician would complement the culinary activities planned for the event.
The culinary competition will feature Chef Amaka, Chef Dee and Chef T as judges.
The judges are expected to evaluate the competing young chefs while also sharing their professional knowledge and experience with participants and attendees.
Chef Wendy said the competition was designed to provide emerging chefs with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and creativity before a live audience.
She explained that the initiative would also help participants build confidence, gain visibility and establish connections with professionals and other stakeholders in the food and hospitality industry.
The convener said Ibadanchops’N’Chill was created to go beyond the conventional concept of a food and entertainment gathering.
According to her, the festival is also a platform for young chefs and food entrepreneurs to gain exposure, connect with potential customers and interact with established professionals in the industry.
She said the initiative would spotlight emerging culinary talents whose creativity was contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s food industry.
Chef Wendy, who is the founder of Wendy’s Kitchen and Wendy’s Culinary Hub, said her passion for food creativity and culinary development inspired the initiative.
She explained that her work through the two platforms had continued to promote culinary creativity and the celebration of Nigerian flavours, adding that Ibadanchops’N’Chill was another step towards creating opportunities for young people in the sector.
She said the festival would bring together people from different segments of the culinary and creative industries, providing opportunities for networking, collaboration and cultural exchange.
The convener also noted that Nigerian cuisine continued to attract growing attention, stressing that young chefs needed platforms where they could demonstrate their abilities and receive recognition.
She said the festival would place Nigerian food, culture and emerging talent at the heart of the event while offering attendees an opportunity to enjoy a combination of cuisine, music and entertainment.
The organisers expect the event to attract food lovers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, chefs, influencers, media personalities, creatives and other members of the public.
Chef Wendy urged members of the public, particularly food lovers and industry stakeholders, to attend the event and support the young chefs participating in the competition.
She expressed optimism that Ibadanchops’N’Chill would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s culinary and hospitality ecosystem by creating opportunities for young people to learn, compete, network and gain recognition.
The festival according to organizers, is expected to provide a blend of Nigerian cuisine, live music, culinary competition and networking, with the organisers describing it as a celebration of food, culture and youth creativity in Ibadan.