As part of concerted efforts at spotlighting the country in positive ways, the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN) is set to take Nigerian food, alongside its stories beyond the borders.

The association, which considers food as a vehicle to tell a people’s stories, preserve their heritage and also bring them together, noted that its participation at the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) 2026, will afford it the opportunity to market the country’s food, hospitality and tourism potential on a regional stage.

The food festival will be held from October 15 to 21, 2026 in Banjul, Gambia where the Nigerian team will stand alongside culinary professionals from across the region, bringing with them their skills, creativity, rich flavours, vibrant traditions, and cultural diversity that make Nigerian cuisine truly exceptional.

Speaking ahead of the festival during a media parley at Value Jet head office at Ikeja, Lagos, Mekwuye Eric, national president, APCN, noted that with the festival, the registered professional body representing chefs, cooks, and culinary professionals across over 21 states in Nigeria, is going beyond its objective of promoting professionalism, culinary excellence, food safety, and indigenous cuisines to promoting Nigeria on a global scale using through cuisines.

Hosted in the past by Nigeria in 2023, Togo in 2024, and Ghana in 2025, the 2026 edition in The Gambia, is organised by the Gambian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, alongside the Gambia Chefs Association.

Delegates from 35 countries are expected at the festival, including over 40 professionals from Nigeria led by Chef Mekwuye Eric.

Detailing the expectations from Team Nigeria at the festival, Chef Mekwuye said that the 40 APCN’s strong contingent will showcase the Nigerian rich culture, tradition and flavours through her indigenous country cuisine of the different traditional cuisines and beverages of the six geo-political regions of Nigeria through food, dressing and languages.

They will be part of the festival’s elite chefs, judges, and officials, while also participating in several competitions such as: Jollof War, Country Cuisine, Grandma’s Cuisine, chef of the year, Plated Dessert, Cake and Bread, Vegan Challenge, Gastronomy Creation Challenge, and Barbecue Challenge.

The chefs’ association also used the media parley platform to announce the partnership with Value Jet for the festival, as the Nigerian carrier is the APCN’s official airline partner.

The partnership will see the airline flying the chefs to Gambia on return tickets, amid branding on the APCN official white chef jacket, promotional materials, social media, and partnership announcement. APCN in turn connects Valuejet with chefs, hospitality professionals, food businesses, which will give them a wider professional network.

Chef Mekwuye commended the airline for offering lower travel cost, which, according to him, will enable more chefs to participate in international festivals, competitions, training and cultural exchanges.

On his part, Dapo Majekodunmi, managing director and chief executive officer, Valujet Airlines, commended the passion with which the chefs are promoting Nigeria’s cuisines, culture and heritage, saying that such commitment is needed across board for the development of the country.

He noted that the partnership with the chefs’ association for the festival is in line with its core values of showcasing the best of the country and service excellence beyond the country’s borders.

The airline boss also disclosed some operational feats of the company, including increasing fleet and destinations expansion drive.