A 10-year-old culinary prodigy, Boluwatife Jaiye-Gbenle, has emerged as the winner of the Eko Flavours Junior cooking competition, walking away with a grand prize of ₦3 million.
EpeInsights reports that the competition, organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in partnership with the Culinara Group, celebrates young talent in the kitchen and promotes healthy food culture.
Boluwatife beat out over 200 young participants to claim the title of Eko Flavours Junior Champion and will now serve as an Ambassador of the Lagos Food System.
Oluwaseyifunmi Quassi was named first runner-up and received ₦2 million, while James Okafor and Akinsola Oluwatobiloba shared third place, each winning ₦1 million. The event’s grand finale took place at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, Mushin, and was attended by government officials, corporate sponsors, and supporters from various sectors.
Other finalists; Adelugba Semilore, Agugua Kamsi, Princess Tifeoluwani, Muhammadul Awwal Tijani, Oluwatara Semilore Marvellous, and Adewara Daystar, also received consolation prizes for their efforts.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, praised the young participants for their creativity and teamwork. She explained that the initiative was inspired by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to spark interest in Nigeria’s food heritage and introduce children to opportunities in the culinary industry.
Olusanya expressed optimism that the competition would open doors for the participants beyond the event, potentially leading to endorsement deals and involvement in government food-related initiatives.
“It’s not just about winning; it’s about discovering future chefs and food content creators who can take advantage of the many opportunities in the food system,” she said.
“These children can play a role in catering for our events and even work with us as ambassadors.”
Co-CEOs of the Culinara Group, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Jennifer Odufuwa, applauded all the young chefs, emphasizing the importance of vocational training.
They encouraged parents to teach their children practical life skills like cooking from an early age, noting that culinary talents can be a gateway to both personal success and societal impact.
According to Odufuwa, over 200 children took part in the competition, with 30 making it to the semi-finals and 10 finalists competing in the Grand Finale.
“We want children to understand that leadership and creativity can happen in the kitchen too. Cooking connects families, builds confidence, and can open up meaningful career paths,” she said.
A visibly excited Boluwatife Jaiye-Gbenle thanked his mother for teaching him how to cook when he was just nine years old.
“I’m so happy I won. My mum taught me everything, and I’m really grateful. To everyone who didn’t win, don’t give up—try again and keep learning,” he said.
Other participants also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for giving them a platform to showcase their cooking skills.
