Chef Agabus Agboye has emerged the overall winner of the Eko Flavours Season 2 culinary competition, taking home the ₦5 million star prize at the grand finale held at the Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin, over the weekend.
Agboye defeated other finalists to become the Eko Flavours Season 2 Champion in the contest organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, in partnership with the Culinara Group.
Martha Oluwadamilola Rotimi finished as the first runner-up, earning ₦3 million, while Peace Alexander emerged second runner-up with a ₦1 million prize. Other top-five contestants, Enwere Glory and Daniel Akagha, as well as other finalists who reached the quarter-final and semi-final stages, received consolation prizes.
A thrilling sideline contest between the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, and popular food critic, Opeyemi Famakinwa, added excitement to the event, with the Commissioner emerging victorious to the delight of spectators.
Speaking after his victory, a visibly emotional Chef Agboye thanked the Lagos State Government and the organisers for the opportunity to showcase his skills.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. This is a dream come true after years of hard work and dedication. I want to thank the Lagos State Government and the organisers of Eko Flavours for believing in young chefs like me. This win means I must keep improving and give my best to represent Lagos proudly,” he said.
First runner-up Oluwadamilola Rotimi described the experience as “a journey of discovery and growth,” adding that the competition opened her eyes to the potential within Lagos’ food industry.
Commissioner Abisola Olusanya praised all participants, describing them as winners due to the rigorous and competitive nature of the event. She expressed optimism that Eko Flavours would create job opportunities and build a sustainable future for the state’s food and hospitality sector.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, said Eko Flavours was designed to identify and promote culinary talents who could showcase Lagos’ cultural diversity through food. He added that the initiative would empower more youths and support Lagos’ growing creative economy.
“Beyond the competition, our goal is to empower more people, build capacity and ensure synergy among these young chefs. We are already planning to feature the top five and other outstanding contestants at the upcoming Greater Lagos Fiesta in December,” Aregbe revealed.
In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Olurotimi Fashola, commended the digitalised judging process and transparency of this year’s edition, describing it as the beginning of a new culinary era in Nigeria.
The co-CEOs of Culinara Group, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Mrs. Jennifer Odufuwa, applauded the participants for their creativity and passion. Adu highlighted that each contestant represented “a story of resilience, creativity, and hope,” while Odufuwa described the second edition as “bigger, better, and more exciting.”
“Eko Flavours has evolved from an idea into a vibrant culinary movement. It’s not just about competition; it’s about collaboration, visibility, and giving Lagos chefs a stage to shine locally and internationally,” Odufuwa said.
Themed “A Lagos Food Story,” the second edition of Eko Flavours aims to promote culinary tourism, celebrate local ingredients, and empower young people across the hospitality and food value chain. The event featured live tastings, digital scoring, mentorship sessions, and attracted participation from government officials, private sponsors, and food enthusiasts across Lagos.
