Nigeria secures hosting rights for WAFFEST 2027, APCN announces

….as ValueJet partners culinary body to promote food tourism

The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN) has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 edition of the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST), a development expected to boost Nigeria’s culinary tourism, attract investment and create new opportunities for hospitality professionals.
The National President of APCN, Chef Dr. Mekwuye Eric, announced this on Wednesday during a press briefing ahead of WAFFEST 2026 in Banjul, The Gambia, where more than 40 Nigerian chefs, judges and officials are expected to showcase the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Eric said hosting the festival in Nigeria would provide an opportunity to promote indigenous cuisines, strengthen regional cooperation and position the country as a leading destination for culinary tourism in West Africa.
He said the 2027 festival would bring together chefs, food professionals, hospitality and tourism stakeholders, cultural organisations, tourism authorities and delegates from across the region to celebrate food, culture, creativity and professional excellence.
According to him, a successful hosting of the event would attract visitors and investment, create opportunities for Nigerian culinary professionals and strengthen the development of culinary education and food tourism.
Meanwhile, APCN has announced ValueJet as its official airline partner, in a collaboration aimed at facilitating the participation of Nigerian chefs in international culinary events and promoting the country’s food culture globally.
Eric said the partnership would support Team Nigeria’s participation in WAFFEST 2026, scheduled for October 15 to 21 in Banjul, while strengthening the relationship between aviation, tourism and the hospitality industry.
He explained that ValueJet’s travel support would help ease logistics and travel costs for participating delegates, enabling more Nigerian culinary professionals to attend international festivals, competitions, training programmes and cultural exchanges.
Under the arrangement, ValueJet’s branding will feature on APCN’s official white chefs’ jackets and promotional materials, as well as its social media platforms.
In return, APCN will promote the airline’s services among its members, chefs, hospitality professionals and wider professional networks, subject to the availability of suitable routes and schedules.
Eric said the partnership was mutually beneficial, providing ValueJet with greater brand visibility among culinary and hospitality professionals while giving APCN additional support to advance the Nigerian culinary profession.
He added that showcasing Nigerian dishes and culinary talents at international events would help promote the country’s cultural heritage, strengthen cultural diplomacy and create economic opportunities across the food and hospitality value chain.
WAFFEST 2026
At WAFFEST 2026, Team Nigeria will compete in several categories, including the Jollof War, Country Cuisine, Grandma’s Cuisine and Chef of the Year competitions.
Other categories include plated desserts, cake-making, bread-making, the Vegan Challenge, Gastronomy Creation Challenge and Barbecue Challenge.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Eric, will also showcase the country’s diverse culinary traditions and beverages from its six geopolitical zones through food, traditional attire and cultural presentations.
The festival is organised by The Gambia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Gambia Chefs Association, with delegates expected from 35 countries.
WAFFEST is a rotating regional festival designed to celebrate West African food, culture and hospitality while promoting culinary excellence and tourism. Previous editions have been held in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo and Ghana again in 2025.
APCN said Nigeria’s participation would provide an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships with other African culinary practitioners, exchange knowledge and expose Nigerian chefs to international standards and practices.
APCN’s achievements
Established in 2011 and initiated by High Chief Dr. Paulinus Okon, who now chairs its Board of Trustees, APCN is a registered professional body representing chefs, cooks and other culinary practitioners across more than 21 states in Nigeria.
The association promotes culinary professionalism, food safety, indigenous cuisine, professional training and the development of the hospitality industry.
It also works to preserve traditional recipes, cooking methods and locally sourced ingredients while encouraging innovation, research and sustainable food practices.
Among its achievements, APCN cited the 11th edition of its International Culinary Summit, held in Abuja from June 8 to 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy. The summit featured the African Chefs Presidents Forum.
The association also initiated the National Mentor-Mentee Challenge to develop young culinary talent. One of its mentees, Chef Anedo Miracle, won a regional title at WAFFEST 2023.
APCN also co-conceived WAFFEST with the Chefs Association of Ghana in 2018 and hosted the festival in Lagos in 2023.
Eric said the association would continue to promote professional standards, preserve Nigeria’s culinary heritage and expand opportunities for Nigerian chefs through regional and international partnerships.
He expressed optimism that the combination of Nigeria’s participation in WAFFEST 2026, the ValueJet partnership and the country’s hosting of the 2027 edition would strengthen the contribution of gastronomy to tourism, employment and economic development.