Power oil, firm organise cooking competition in Lagos

The Honourable Okey Joe Foundation (HOJ), in collaboration with Power Oil Company, has flagged off a cooking competition that aims to bring about innovation and creativity in cooking, titled “Spice It Up Lagos Cooking Competition, Season 2.”

The cooking competition was unveiled during a flag-off ceremony held at the foundation’s office in Ejigbo, Lagos State.

The competition will serve as a platform to celebrate cultural diversity, honour traditions, and ignite innovations where amateur chefs and upcoming cooks will showcase their unique styles, techniques, and flair by encouraging creativity, experimentation, and empowerment.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Honourable Okey Joe Foundation, Mazi Ikechukwu Birsmack Orji, stated that the competition, which is in partnership with Power Oil Company and now in its second edition, would be a mind-blowing event where new talents would be discovered and empowered.

Mazi Orji, however, stated that the competition aims to provide a culinary platform for young chefs to showcase their talent because healthy food leads to a healthy life.

He said: “The main aim of Spice It Up Lagos, cooking competition, aside from engaging young culinary enthusiasts and food lovers, is to showcase Lagos as a transformative state when it comes to experiences around food. We seem to have more affinity for just getting our food into our kitchens without understanding the logistics that go into the production side of things.”

He added that all participants would be adequately compensated with consolation prizes, noting that the idea behind the competition is to encourage unity among the various ethnicities and tribes, each bringing their cooking skills and dishes, as Lagos serves as a melting pot of diversity in the country.

The Chairman of the Spice It Up Lagos Season 2 Committee, Comrade Bolaji Belinda Bayode, noted that the competition would bring together talented chefs from diverse backgrounds to promote culinary excellence, creativity, and passion.

She explained that the competition is not just about cooking but also about promoting a healthy lifestyle because individuals lose their lives due to unhealthy eating habits and the type of spices used in cooking.

Comrade Bayode highlighted the terms and conditions, urging contestants to follow the rules guiding the competition. They are free to cook any local meal of their choice, using their unique skills in the process.

Speaking to newsmen, the Programme Director, Women and Health for Honourable Okey Joe Foundation, Mrs. Uchenna Ofomata, stated that registration would be done online, including the preliminary contest, which is open to both males and females aged 20 to 40 from across Lagos State.

Ofomata said that the competition aims to commemorate World Food Day, which falls on October 16 each year.

She said: “Last year, the competition was only for Oshodi/Isolo 2 State Constituency, and that was our first edition. This year, we are collaborating with Power Oil Company. Our mission at HOJ Foundation revolves around promoting preliminary excellence, fostering creativity, and building community engagement.”

She noted that the essence of the competition is to empower amateur chefs to showcase their unique styles, techniques, and flair by encouraging creativity. The foundation helps them foster their innovative recipes, celebrate diverse flavours, and develop entrepreneurial leaders to celebrate the universal language of food and uncover hidden talents.

Lending his voice, Admin Officer Mazi Chuks Nwosu, the Special Adviser to the Honourable Member representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 2 at the National Assembly on Media and Communication, noted that the competition would harness the efforts of both old and new chefs, showcasing their skills and discovering new talents. He added that various cultural dishes would be displayed for the enjoyment of Lagos residents.

Mazi Nwosu said: “The Spice It Up Lagos Cooking Competition Season 2, organised by HOJ Foundation in conjunction with Power Oil, will encourage new talents, develop new entrepreneurs, and, at the end of the competition, the beneficiaries will go home with mouth-watering gifts that will boost their businesses.”

“The competitors are cooking for healthy living, they are competing and showcasing their skills, and with this, many talents will be discovered. I want to take this opportunity to thank Honourable Okey Joe Onuakalusi for such an initiative and for empowering young entrepreneurs. I also thank the sponsors, Power Oil, for this year’s competition, while looking forward to Season 3,” he stated.

The winner of the 1st edition of the Spice It Up Cooking Competition, Mrs. Jairus Amaka Peace, commended the Honourable Member, Hon. Okey Joe Onuakalusi, for the good work he is doing in the constituency and for initiating this competition to encourage young entrepreneurs.

She said: “I want to thank Honourable Okey Joe for the good work. Before now, I was not doing well in my business as I did not have enough equipment and resources. But when I entered the competition and won, I was given a standing four-burner gas cooker, which I now use for cooking and baking. I was also given the sum of N150,000 to boost my business.”

“I want to use this medium to encourage those coming up to stay focused, be serious, and determined. My special prayers go to Hon. Okey Joe and the HOJ Foundation for what they are doing to alleviate the suffering of the people,” she stated.