CHEF HANNAH AYORINDE WINS N5M PRIZE AT EKO FLAVOURS SEASON

CHEF HANNAH AYORINDE WINS N5M PRIZE AT EKO FLAVOURS SEASON 3

•Lagos Highlights Economic Opportunities in Culinary Industry

 

A female chef, Hannah Ayorinde, has emerged winner of the N5 million grand prize at the Season 3 finale of Eko Flavours, the Lagos State culinary competition.

Ayorinde beat over 100 contestants to clinch the top prize in the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in partnership with Culinara Group.

Jagila Colman emerged first runner-up with a N3 million prize, while Moyin Fashina finished as second runner-up, winning N2 million.

The winners were announced at the grand finale held on Saturday night in Lekki, Lagos.

Eko Flavours is a Lagos State culinary talent initiative designed to discover and nurture culinary talent while connecting participants to business opportunities and the broader food industry value chain.

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, called for greater recognition of the economic opportunities in the culinary industry, noting that agriculture goes beyond food production to include business, jobs, tourism and the creative economy.

She said Season 3 brought together talents from different backgrounds to create unique culinary experiences, demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration can drive economic value and support the growth of the creative economy.

Olusanya described the third season as a learning experience that showcased exceptional talent and innovation, made possible by the support of partners and industry stakeholders.

She encouraged young Nigerians to look beyond conventional career paths such as medicine, law, engineering and architecture, stressing that culinary arts offers viable opportunities for entrepreneurship, professional growth and wealth creation.

The Commissioner described Season 3 — the last under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu — as an emotional milestone, noting that the competition has helped many chefs and young people improve their culinary skills.

She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his commitment and support for the Eko Flavours initiative in the last three years.

Co-CEO of Culinara Group, Mrs. Jennifer Odufuwa, said Eko Flavours has grown beyond a cooking contest into a platform for building entrepreneurs, food creators, employers and businesses.

According to her, alumni of previous editions have gone on to establish and expand businesses, secure brand partnerships, build online audiences, develop food products and gain placement in professional kitchens.

Odufuwa said the theme for this season, “Nothing Wasted,” reflects a commitment to ensuring that talent, ideas, culture and opportunities are not wasted, adding that beyond discovering talent, access to mentorship, funding, visibility and markets is crucial to success.

Also speaking, Co-CEO of Culinara Group, Mrs. Olufunke Adu, said contestants underwent intensive training and mentorship designed to prepare them for opportunities beyond the competition.

Adu announced that episodes from Season 3 will air weekly from November 4 through mid-December.

She added that the top 25 finalists will remain in the culinary development pipeline, with access to further training, business support, brand ambassadorship and commercial partnerships, including culinary school scholarships, professional development and international exposure through collaborations with industry stakeholders, including the Canadian culinary sector.

In her remarks, winner Hannah Ayorinde expressed joy at her victory and urged aspiring contestants to approach future editions with hard work, determination and commitment.

Organisers said Eko Flavours will continue to build a community that connects culinary talents with the knowledge, networks and opportunities needed to turn skills into sustainable businesses and careers.