In Lagos this May, aprons will replace blazers as schoolchildren step into kitchens to prove that creativity, culture, and confidence can be stirred up early right from the classroom.
EpeInsights gathered that the Eko Flavours Junior competition, the first of its kind in the state, will give school-aged children a stage not just to cook, but to dream.
Powered by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in collaboration with culinary platform Culinara, the event is part of a growing shift toward valuing vocational skills and celebrating cultural heritage in new ways.
Unlike typical spelling bees or quiz competitions, this event is a cook-off with a purpose. Students from Lagos’ six educational districts will pair up to represent their schools in preliminary cooking battles kicking off in May. The stakes? A spot at the grand finale — a high-energy food festival scheduled for July 22 at Onikan Stadium, where one team will be crowned the first-ever Eko Flavours Junior Champion.
But this isn’t just about who plates the best jollof or innovates on akara. According to Culinara’s co-founders, Olufunke Adu and Jennifer Odufuwa, the competition is designed to plant deeper seeds: introducing children to food as an art, a science, and a career. “We want to show that the kitchen is not just a domestic space — it can be a launchpad,” they said.
Beyond the cook-offs, students will engage in mentorship sessions with professional chefs, gaining firsthand exposure to culinary careers many had never considered. The competition also weaves in key themes like sustainability, discipline, and teamwork — vital ingredients in both cooking and life.
At a time when Nigeria is rethinking education, jobs, and youth development, Eko Flavours Junior lands as more than just a feel-good event. It’s a statement: that skills matter, that culture can be taught through food, and that our children’s talents go far beyond exams and certificates.
With the aroma of opportunity rising from Lagos’ kitchens, the young chefs stepping up to the stove may well be cooking more than meals they’re cooking up a future.
