After beating chefs from two other West African nations, Nigerian Chef Folashade Shoyonbo emerged winner of a Jolof Rice Contest on Sunday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the competition at the 15th AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market that opened in Lagos on Sunday, Shoyonbo beat several others from Nigeria, Togo and Benin Republic.
NAN claims that two other Nigerians, Deborah Esene and Fatima Lawal, clinched second and third positions, respectively, at the Jollof Rice Contest, which was organized to encourage culinary tourism in Africa.
Shoyonbo said that she was surprised at her victory and never expected to win the contest as she left immediately, she presented her dish to the judges only to be called back.
She advised other chefs to remain steadfast and dedicated to their work, saying that success awaits those who persevered.
She thanked the organizers for encouraging African chefs and giving her a platform to showcase her talent for cooking.
“Am so happy right now; I never saw it coming, in fact it is a surprise for me and I could not hold my tears when I was told I emerged the winner.
“I appreciate the organisers of this fair and everyone who had encouraged me since I embraced this profession and I will advise everyone to remain dedicated and focused on their chosen career.
“I was determined to be successful in this profession and here I am today,” she said.
Shoyonbo, a graduate in accounting with a diploma in catering, is a chef at Lagos Continental Hotel.
“I am a graduate of Accounting but was not fulfilled until I embraced this profession; there is huge gain in doing what you love,” she said.
NAN reports that Shoyonbo won the trophy and the refrigerator, while her first and second runners went home with the generator and the set of dishes.