GTCO Food and Drink Festival: Haven for Food Lovers & Children!

The aroma of grilled meat, baked pastries, spices and freshly prepared meals filled the air as thousands of visitors moved through colourful rows of stalls at the recent GTCO Food and Drink Festival in Lagos.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, conversations and music as food lovers gathered to explore different flavours, cultures and experiences. At a time when food has become more than sustenance, turning to an identity, memory and daily ritual, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival once again transformed Lagos into a vibrant city of flavour, culture and business. The annual event, which was held at the GTCentre in Victoria Island last week, brought together over a hundred food vendors, delivering a rich blend of local meals and international cuisines while providing an avenue for small businesses to thrive.

From the moment attendees stepped into the venue, there was energy and fun. Stalls lined the expansive space, each one telling its own story through packages, aroma, presentation and taste. Vendors showcased an impressive range of meals, from ready-to-eat meals and street food to drinks and packaged snacks. Restaurants and independent food entrepreneurs stood side by side, serving thousands of visitors who moved from stand to stand, eager to explore new flavours or reconnect with familiar favourites.

Apart from the busy marketplace setting, the festival created opportunities for learning different cultural meals through the cooking masterclasses. The classes featured about 13 chefs across the three-day event, with each chef sharing techniques, stories and insights into their craft while answering questions from attendees.

Among them was Japanese sushi chef, Taiji Maruyama, who introduced participants to the delicate balance of Dashi and Umami. His knife skills and traditional background drew attention from the audience. André Macka, a wine expert, spoke about the basics of wine and its production process, introducing attendees to concepts and techniques many had never heard before.

Camari Mick, a pastry chef, delivered one of the festival’s most memorable moments by transforming sorrel, locally known as zobo, into a refined curd for a tart. This inventive creation challenged the traditional perception of sorrel as a mere ingredient in a zobo drink.

Jennifer Hill Booker brought warmth and storytelling into her session, presenting Southern brunch dishes using recipes she created to add a unique flair. And Dominic Leach rounded off the event on Sunday with a bold barbecue presentation that left a lasting impression.

These masterclasses did more than teach recipes. They expanded people’s perspectives and encouraged attendees to appreciate the culinary techniques, histories and cultural contexts that shape food across different parts of the world.

The festival’s inclusivity was also evident in its family-friendly design. While adults explored the food and social environment, children enjoyed a dedicated play centre filled with games. This made the venue a child-friendly environment, allowing kids to have fun and also ensuring the event catered to all age groups and made the experience enjoyable for families.

Overall, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival was not just an exhibition of food but also a celebration of community, innovation and cultural connection. It showed that Lagos is filled with dynamic, diverse and endlessly creative people. For vendors, it provided an opportunity to grow visibility and connect with new customers. For attendees, it was an experience that lingered long after the last bite, a reminder that food has an ability to bring people together.

Saturday Sun spoke with some vendors and children about their perception of the event.

Chef Jacy, founder, Abacha Republic said: “The GTCO Food & Drink Festival has been a great experience for Abacha Republic. It is a well curated platform that brings together food businesses, culinary creatives, and food lovers from different parts of the country.

“Beyond sales, it gives brands visibility, networking opportunities and direct interaction with customers who are interested in exploring Nigerian cuisines and food culture.

“For us, it has definitely been worth participating. The exposure, customer engagement and opportunity to introduce more people to authentic Igbo traditional cuisine have been very valuable to our brand.

“In terms of sales, yes, we recorded encouraging sales while also gaining new customers, partnerships and brand awareness, which are equally important for long-term growth.

“Abacha Republic has attended the GTCO Food & Drink Festival for six years, and each experience has contributed positively to our journey as a culinary brand focused on preserving and celebrating traditional Nigerian cuisine.”

At the children’s play section, Mrs. Rosemary Egeonu came with her three children. She commended the organizers of the event for the good work done.

“The first time we were here, we got to the children’s section earlier and the children enjoyed all the games. This second outing was more interesting, with more games, a lot of vendors, plenty of food and games. It was fun. In short, we will be here for the whole three days in the next edition (laughs). The children also attest to the fact that they had fun, loads of games to play, and look forward to the next edition,” she said.

Excerpts from article by Christy Anyanwu and Islamiyat Kareem