Sabi Chef, a street food cooking competition and festival is here with 2.0 Edition. The show organised by Newspread.ng, a leading online newspaper, has announced the 2024 edition of its highly successful street food cooking competition which debuted at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos in 2023.

The event seeks to continue its mission to uplift and celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant street food culture through a colorful festival and rewarding competition.

The show is aimed to discover and reward street chefs across the country.

The initiative, spearheaded by Newspread.ng’s CEO, Mr. Shola Ewuola, aims to spotlight the creativity and resilience of street food vendors across the country, offering them a platform to showcase their culinary skills.

“The idea came up to enhance and help the vendors on the street,” Mr. Ewuola explained.

“The people who make street food are not well celebrated, even though those abroad celebrate their own in a big way. Here in Nigeria, we grew up eating street food, yet we often consider those who make or eat it as less privileged, and we can’t support that. We need to showcase Nigerian street food, celebrate the people who make it, and also educate them on proper food preparation. This competition is about encouraging better lives for the sellers, both financially and morally.”

Open to all street food vendors, this second edition of the competition seeks to build on the success of the first by offering even more opportunities for participants to display their skills and share their unique stories. Mr. Ewuola emphasized the broader goal: “Let us celebrate the creativity and resilience of our food vendors, and encourage everyone to explore the rich flavors that our streets has to offer. We want to promote street food as a symbol of our culture, an economic driver, and a bridge that connects us all.”

He disclosed that Sabi chef in collaboration with Maxxconnection Ltd who in their capacity as project partner are working to make the 2024 edition of the event which shall be held in November where millions of naira and other prizes shall be won by participants a much bigger and impactful one

Also speaking, Sabi Chef brand ambassador, Chef Joy Ogbidi said the competition seeks to promote the richness of Nigerian street food, but noted that Nigerians equally have the responsibility to ensure that street food vendors operate in safe and hygienic environments.

“At Sabi Chef, we illuminate the efforts of street food sellers. We’ve come together to celebrate these vendors because foreign meals have overshadowed Nigerian foods, and it’s essential to bring our food culture back to the forefront. This competition will highlight our local foods and provide a platform for talented chefs and cooks to showcase their culinary skills.”

Company Secretary, Femi Abimbola echoed these sentiments, stating, “Our street food and the talented vendors who bring these culinary delights to life are integral to our culture. We stand together to promote street food as more than just a quick bite; it is an experience that embodies the spirit of Nigeria. Street food is a celebration of our flavors, a gathering point for families and friends, and an essential part of our daily lives that transcends social and economic barriers. It is a symbol of unity, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy the simple pleasure of good food.”

Abimbola also highlighted the economic importance of street food vendors, noting, “These entrepreneurs are the backbone of our local communities. They create jobs, support local farmers and suppliers, and contribute significantly to the livelihoods of countless families. By choosing to eat street food, we are not just satisfying our taste buds; we are supporting small businesses and empowering our fellow Nigerians.”

Newspread.ng and Sabi Chef are committed to collaborating with local authorities to ensure that street food vendors receive the necessary support, training, and resources to thrive while adhering to health and safety standards. With the launch of the second edition, the initiative aims to elevate Nigeria’s street food culture even further, ensuring it remains a proud and integral part of the nation’s culinary heritage for generations to come.

“As this competition returns, the call to action is stronger than ever: it’s time to celebrate, support, and uplift the people who bring our favorite street food to life,” the organizers stated.

For more information, visit www.sabichef.com or @sabichef1 on Instagram.