Fuji musician, Alhaji Taye Currency, and a team of professional chefs are set to headline the fourth edition of Ibadanchops’N’Chill, a culinary, entertainment and lifestyle festival scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The festival is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 food lovers, chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs, influencers, media personalities and entertainment enthusiasts.
The event is designed to celebrate Nigerian food culture while creating opportunities for emerging culinary talents to showcase their skills and connect with industry professionals.
The convener of the festival, Chinwendu Fetus, popularly known as Chef Wendy, disclosed this in a statement issued ahead of the event.
According to her, this year’s edition will be held under the theme, “Empowering Young Chefs, Celebrating Nigerian Flavours.”
She said the festival would combine culinary competition, live music, entertainment, networking and lifestyle experiences.
Chef Wendy disclosed that Taye Currency would headline the entertainment segment with a live performance, adding that the Fuji musician’s appearance would complement the culinary activities lined up for the festival.
Top Chefs to Judge Culinary Competition
The culinary competition will feature Chef Amaka, Chef Dee and Chef T as judges.
The judges will evaluate participating young chefs while sharing their professional knowledge and experience with participants and attendees.
Chef Wendy said the competition would provide emerging chefs with an opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills and creativity before a live audience.
She explained that the initiative would also enable participants to build confidence, gain visibility and establish valuable connections with professionals and other stakeholders in the food and hospitality industry.
The convener said Ibadanchops’N’Chill was created to go beyond the conventional concept of a food and entertainment gathering.
According to her, the festival serves as a platform for young chefs and food entrepreneurs to gain exposure, connect with potential customers and interact with established professionals in the industry.
She said the event would spotlight emerging culinary talents whose creativity is contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s food industry.
Chef Wendy, who is the founder of Wendy’s Kitchen and Wendy’s Culinary Hub, said her passion for food creativity and culinary development inspired the initiative.
She explained that her work through the two platforms had continued to promote culinary creativity and the celebration of Nigerian flavours, adding that Ibadanchops’N’Chill represents another step towards creating opportunities for young people in the sector.
She said the festival would bring together stakeholders from different segments of the culinary and creative industries, providing opportunities for networking, collaboration and cultural exchange.
The convener also noted that Nigerian cuisine continues to attract growing attention globally, stressing the importance of creating platforms where young chefs can demonstrate their abilities and receive recognition.
She said the festival would place Nigerian food, culture and emerging talent at the centre of the experience while giving attendees an opportunity to enjoy a combination of cuisine, music and entertainment.
The organisers expect the event to attract food lovers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, chefs, influencers, media personalities, creatives and other members of the public.
Chef Wendy urged food lovers and industry stakeholders to attend the festival and support the young chefs participating in the culinary competition.
She expressed optimism that Ibadanchops’N’Chill would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s culinary and hospitality ecosystem by creating opportunities for young people to learn, compete, network and gain recognition.
The festival is expected to offer a blend of Nigerian cuisine, live music, culinary competition and networking, with the organisers describing it as a celebration of food, culture and youth creativity in Ibadan.
