FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10-Year-Old Chef Boluwatife Jaiye-Gbenle Crowned Champion as Eko Flavours Junior Wraps Up a Historic Debut
Lagos, Nigeria 27th July, 2025
The air was electric. The kitchen, alive with aromas and ambition. And at the heart of it all stood a 10-year-old boy with a dream and a spoon. In a dazzling finale to Lagos’ premier children’s culinary showcase, Chef Boluwatife Jaiye-Gbenle emerged as the first-ever Eko Flavours Junior Champion, after weeks of fierce competition among budding chefs aged 10 to 13.
Powered by Culinara Group in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems and executed by Tantacom Group, the competition ignited a cultural renaissance through food, empowering children to explore local cuisine and culinary creativity with confidence and flair.
“Eko Flavours Junior is proof that the future of Lagos’ food systems is not only vibrant but in deeply talented hands. We are building a generation that understands and honours our culinary heritage from a young age,” said Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems. “Boluwatife and his peers have shown us the power of early exposure, mentorship, and community in shaping future leaders in the food ecosystem.”
The contest also spotlighted stellar talents:
- Chef Quassi Oluwaseyifunmi Precious – First Runner-Up
- Chef James Okafor and Chef Akinsola Oluwatobiloba Timothy – Second Runner-Up (Tie)
Reflecting on the initiative’s broader purpose, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, remarked:
“This is more than a competition. It is capacity development, culture preservation, and soft-skill empowerment woven into one. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for these young chefs and for Lagos as a food destination.”
Beyond the plated presentations and spirited challenges, Eko Flavours Junior brought together families, educators, culinary mentors, and industry leaders. The event was an ecosystem, nurturing not just recipes but confidence, discipline, and purpose in every child.
“The success of this program is rooted in our ministry’s continuous push for inclusive and strategic programming, programs that engage, educate, and empower the next generation,” added Mr. Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems. “This is how we build a sustainable food future.”
At the heart of the mentoring and culinary coordination stood the Culinara Group, led by Co-CEOs Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Ms. Jennifer Odufuwa, the brilliant minds behind this wonderful initiative.
“From the first prep session to the last plating, these children gave us moments that rival even seasoned chefs. Their imagination, discipline, and pride in Nigerian flavours are unmatched,” said Olufunke Adu.
“This isn’t just about cooking. It’s about culture, confidence, and creativity, and these kids brought all three to the table,” added Jennifer Odufuwa.
John Fadejola, the Eko Flavours Project Lead dubbed also the Head, Marketing and Commnunications of Tantacom Group, emphasized the soul of the initiative:
“This has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever led. Watching these children rise to the challenge, day after day, affirmed the vision behind Eko Flavours, to tell authentic food stories, and to build a food-conscious generation that is proud of its roots.”
With the success of this debut edition, the Eko Flavours Junior competition has set a new benchmark for youth engagement in agriculture, nutrition, and cultural innovation.
To relive the journey, follow @theekoflavours on Instagram or explore the hashtags #EkoFlavoursJnr, #TantacomGroup, and #FlavoursofTheFuture.
Media Contact:
Tantacom Group
Email: john.fadejola@tantacom.org
Phone: +237062367247
Website: www.tantacom.org
