As the GTCO Food and Drink Festival May, 2026 Edition comes to a gratifying end, Nigerians have said that it would be valuable if more African chefs are brought in to speak on African dishes at the event’s masterclasses.
They opined that African chefs should be promoted and recognized especially those who specialize in local dishes.
Yomi Abayomi, third timer at the GTCO Food and Drink Festival, and two times visitor at the 2026 May edition said that he is a Chef and has interest in anything food. “I am a Pastry Chef, currently working with a restaurant at Ikoyi Lagos. Basically coming here is like coming to see what I do everyday, it is an environment of what inspires me and to learn also.
“To GTCO, more grease to your elbow, they should keep up the good work. What I would say as a word of advice is on how they could get sitting areas for guests, and again to improve more on local dishes, aside from the international, aside from the western world, the African dishes should be promoted, because of their value, this is Africa, this is our land, I am actually talking not just about the vendors, but also the speakers.
“There should be African dish speakers, recognized chefs, they should also be put on the map because this is a global event, so let Africans be put on the map.
“I am not just talking about Nigeria, I am talking about Africa, that include Nigeria, Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Togo, et cetera,” he said.
Joy Serbastine, also a Chef based at Olodi Apapa of Lagos, maintained that, apart from showing the world that Nigerians can do it, it is also an avenue to let the world know what Africans can do, and obviously sell Africa to the world.
“I used to hear about GTCO Food and Drink Festival and I decided to have a taste of it today, I like what I am seeing and I like the environment, most especially I came for the masterclasses, because I am a caterer. I do indoor and outdoor catering services. Last year I was very busy the whole three days and I was very sad, I told myself and my God that this year nothing would stop me from coming here.
“I am a Chef and I am into Continental dishes. I don’t just cook, I also bake pastries. I just came to see the speakers because I have been following them. That is the reason I decided to come and see them live.”
On giving prominence to African dishes, she said, “That is good, it should not be about America, Asia, Europe, we also need African Chefs to come and speak to demonstrate how to prepare African dishes, and not just continental dishes. I will like them to do more of it by bringing more African chefs to speak at the Masterclasses.”
Another visitor, Faith, gave credit to GTCO for the wonderful initiative which birthed the Food and Drink Festival. “I am here to get the food experience and I am satisfied with what GTCO is doing. I have been attending the Food and Drink Festival for the past three years and I have been coming repeatedly because of the memorable experience.
“Each time I come I get new experience, however there are also new vendors, year in year out. I have tasted the food here and I am pleased.”
She complained about the price adjustments which she attributed to the current economic crisis. “The prices of food are quite different compared to other years may be due to the economic situation in the country.” She stated that the number of visitors to the Food and Drink Festival has doubled over the years.
Speaking also was Simi, who stated that she has been at the GTCO festival twice, adding that visiting GTCO Food and Drink Festival, was for the experience and the masterclasses. “I enjoy the masterclasses because I am taught about food from different cultures, different parts of the world, the one I attended last year, it was an American who handled that and he was teaching food that is popular among the black Americans, I like it, just for the experience.”
She stated that GTCO Food and Drink Festival is actually a nice initiative.
