Abuja foodies grace new food festival

Hundreds of Abuja residents at the weekend explored a range of international delicacies and cocktails at the first International Food Festival held in the city. Food tents covered the Botanical garden grounds in Maitama harbouring dishes from Nigeria and countries as far as Thailand, India, China, and the West where customers were treated to Nigerian […]

Hundreds of Abuja residents at the weekend explored a range of international delicacies and cocktails at the first International Food Festival held in the city.

Food tents covered the Botanical garden grounds in Maitama harbouring dishes from Nigeria and countries as far as Thailand, India, China, and the West where customers were treated to Nigerian native delicacies, curries, seasoned poultry, finger burgers and stuffed wraps all in one place.

One of the vendors by the name of Dokas and owner of Hussbek Catering Services in Wuse, sold a range of Ghanian dishes including killi-willi and Kenke corn. She included dishes familiar to Nigeria wishing to highlight the difference in taste from Ghana.

She stated, “Nigerians have their own way of spicing food such as plantain, spaghetti and beans porridge; so it is interesting to experience the same food but with a different taste”. She also displayed African styled jewelry and souvenirs hoping to appeal to women’s tastes.

In addition to the colourful display of worldly foods, customers were treated to a violinist playing along to upbeat and popular tracks, with sound of trumpets and a dance group showing their moves on the brightly-coloured stage. This and a range of artworks by Ice Nweke proved to be a great distraction for the foodie’s cueing to try the dishes.

Also being sold were delicacies from the Ivory Coast, Lebanon and cocktail drinks from a mobile beverage bar, which enjoyed the longest cue at the festival.

Joey Abu, owner and one of the two mixologists operating the bar said he chose to go mobile for the opportunity to attend many functions in one day. He said, “I learnt how to do this by attending a one-month course in Europe. I’m going to be working at another event after this.”

Customers, consisting of native Nigerians and foreigners, expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to “meet different people” while at the same time conveying the need for more events like this with “better publicity.”

Foodies were also given the opportunity to expand their horizons with travel opportunities from companies such as Africa Airlines, South Africa Airways and Skyjet who were present at the event to promote cross-cultural experiences.

A spokesperson for Africa Airlines said, “Africa Airlines brings together different countries and we believe anyone can fly out to see the world.”

The event called ‘For the Love of Food,’ is the first International Food Festival to hold in Abuja sponsored by Mercedes Benz in association with South African Airways and Jeep.

Communications officer for Mercedes Benz Abuja, Sheriff Oyeleke said, “For the Love of Food is about culture and appreciating the diversity that exists in Abuja and Nigeria as a whole. The event is aimed at uniting people from different countries, cultures, ethnic groups and faiths; and through the love of food, educate and foster a greater understanding that exists amongst them.”

“For the Love of Food will be an annual event that will eventually include a variation of activities including dancing, art exhibition, music and fashion that will represent the various cultural groups present,” he said.